Communion at a wedding

Communion at a wedding Question from on 06-16-2007:

Recently, at a wedding Mass, the priest said that anyone who wanted to receive Communion could come forward. My first instincts were that he did not have the right to do that, since it was inviting Catholics and non-Catholics alike to receive. However, I thought that maybe this was one of those circumstances where he could have been given permission by the bishop. Is that possible? Also, I thought it would have been better for him to have said nothing rather than to give outright permission. A person sitting beside me, whom I know to be Protestant, asked me if she could. I chose not to answer her since the priest had already given permission. What should I have done? Thank you for your answer.

Answer by Catholic Answers on 06-18-2007:

M.H.-- You are correct that the priest should not have made the invitation for all to receive Communion. There are extraordinary circumstances in which non-Catholic Christians may receive Communion, but this was not one of them. I do not blame you for being hesitant to contradict the priest's permission at the time, especially since you were unsure of whether or not he was correct. If there is a possibility that the priest could be correct, it is better to defer to his authority. But, if you are certain he is wrong, it is okay to whisper in answer to your friend's question, "No, you should not receive Communion. I'll explain why later." Michelle Arnold Catholic Answers

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