QUESTION:

Dear Father,

Dear father,

I read and agree with your answer given about how we should regard our Catholic brothers and sisters.

What I would like to know is can an Orthodox living far (an hour or more) from an Orthodox church be granted permission to take communion in a Catholic church when necessary?

Thank you!

Anonymous

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ANSWER:

Dear Friend,

There can really be no exception where it would be permissible for an Orthodox to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Specifically, being a great distance away from an Orthodox Church is not sufficient cause to be permitted to set aside the Church's stance on inter-communion.

On the other hand, there is no problem attending Mass at a Catholic Church and honoring the Lord's Day if it is impossible because of great distance to attend an Orthodox Church. However, an Orthodox must not receive communion. To do so would be to accept (to put oneself in communion with) all of the teachings of the Catholic Church - even those that are in conflict with the teachings of the Orthodox Church.

In terms of the distance issue, it begs the question as to why an Orthodox would choose to move somewhere that is a great distance from an Orthodox Church. For the Orthodox Christian, the Church is by definition the center of life, the axis upon which daily life must revolves.

If one finds it difficult to attend an Orthodox Church due to distance concerns, perhaps the short term solution (as opposed to the long term solution - moving) is to attend the Orthodox Church on a monthly basis being prepared to receive Holy Confession and Communion. When it is not possible to make it to Liturgy, perhaps one might choose to attend a Catholic Mass.

Curiously, while some find it impossible to drive a long distance to Church once a week, others have no problem commuting to work every day a greater distance or driving to a casino or out of town restaurant, etc.

It is by no means easy being an Orthodox Christian. However, any and all personal sacrifices pales in comparison to the manifold spiritual blessings we receive by being faithful to the commandments of the Church.

I hope you found this answer helpful.

Father Peter Paproski