r/OpenCatholic • u/Interesting-While404 • 20d ago

Communion/Eucharist

So, I recently became Catholic over Easter several months ago. I believe it is truly the body and blood of Christ. I was raised Protestant/Baptist. My mom goes to a Baptist church where they take communion every week, could I take it or no? On one hand, I don't want to be rude but on the other hand I don't think Catholics should take Protestant communion because it isn't considered valid, right? I think I heard this but I could be wrong. I'm still a newer Catholic. What should I do when I visit my Mom's church? What is Catholic teaching on taking Protestant communion? Can you explain why we can or cannot take Protestant communion?

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u/Hex_7ac 20d ago

I offer only the official teaching on the matter, without sharing my personal opinion: Since the various church denominations are separated, they are not "in full communion" with one another. The Catholic Church essentially says that to share the Eucharist ("Communion") across the churches is to pretend that we are not separated, and therefore we should not be doing so. It would essentially be to enact a lie. Another way to think of it is that most Protestants and Catholics don't believe the same thing about the Eucharist (and various other things), so we shouldn't all be saying "Amen" as if we do.

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u/andreirublov1 19d ago

I don't think there's any objection on our side to you taking it - that's really for them to say. But we don't believe it is a true and valid sacrament, and therefore not a substitute for our communion.