The question of admitting people to communion has arisen recently in connection with Catholics running for political office who openly hold political positions against church teaching (most notably, abortion).  This can be place extraordinary ministers of holy communion in uncomfortable situations.  You describe two situations, which are a bit different: non-Catholics coming to receive AND those in a state of mortal sin.

            It is clear that non-Catholics are not to be admitted to communion; the case of someone being in a state of mortal sin is not so clear.  Allow me to address both, beginning with a tacit rule of thumb, canon law, and current writing on the subject.

            The unwritten rule among priests is that we communicate anyone who comes up to communion reverently and receives according to the rubrics.  Here, I think we follow the spirit of Paul’s words to the Corinthians (I Cor. 11:26ff), that those who eat unworthily bring judgment upon themselves.  There is a large presumption, and this is a mature one, that those coming up for communion have examined their consciences and found that they wish to receive and be a part of Christ’s mystical body through communion.

            Canon law states (a. 915) that only those who are excommunicated or under an ecclesiastical penalty are not to be admitted to communion OR those people who are “manifestly persevering in grave sin.”  How is one to know this?  Well, these judgments are made by the local bishop; and so the local bishop would be the one to inform his ministers of those who are to be refused communion.  As regards politicians, I know of no bishop who has given any politician a formal excommunication or penalty barring them from communion; the most I have seen is that bishops ask some politicians to refrain.

            So, with that said, this brings us to the daily problem of those who come to communion who are not Catholic or are “manifestly persevering in grave sin.”  Neither situation is cut and dried.  There are some circumstances where non-Catholics can be admitted to communion.  These are rare, but if it does happen the presider should inform you.  Also, the state of “mortal sin” is a difficult one to assess.  An outsider can assess the gravity of a sin, but the other two criteria—full knowledge and consent of the will—are seemingly known only to the sinner.  I suppose that one situation may be a Catholic who is cohabiting; this may be mortal sin, but it also has to be “persevering” and “manifest.”  So, maybe the couple is doing this on the sly; or maybe it has just begun and they are struggling with it.  Or it may be that they have been in it for 7 years and everyone knows.

            The question for us is how is the extraordinary minister of holy communion to make this judgment?

            From the latest literature (and here I draw from Guide for Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, from the Liturgical Ministry Series), the general guidance is to ask your pastor or priest presider.  I presume that certain people may come to mass each week.  If there is a non-Catholic adamant about receiving, let the priest know and have him handle it.  I don’t believe that the place to address this issue is the communion procession.  These conflicts should be addressed prior to the liturgy (and, in my mind, using the wisdom of Paul, to communicate people who come to receive properly and leave the ultimate judgment in God’s hands).

            There is also a chance for subsidiarity and for your becoming a community.  If you know the people coming to you, I would share with them the church’s belief in communion—that one must be Catholic to receive and should not be “persevering in manifest grave sin.”  Sometimes, people are just genuinely misinformed.  But, if the people disagree with you, talk to your pastor and see what he thinks; and follow his guidance.

            I suspect that, as a rule, if a non-Catholic comes up (whom you are certain is non-Catholic), simply give them a blessing.  Most non-Catholics are aware we have closed communion, but some simply need to be reminded or informed.  And like I said, you need to be certain—it may very well be that a non-Catholic went through RCIA and was admitted to the Church.  That would be uncomfortable if that were the case and you denied them communion.

            And as for those who may be in grave sin, consult your pastor ahead of time to form a unified plan of action.  If your church is big, the person denied by you and may very well get communion from an uninformed minister who did not not know this one was to be barred from receiving.

            Which brings me back to the comments of Paul….we all have to examine ourselves to see if we should refrain from communion.  But this decision is with the communicant; the extraordinary minister of holy communion ministers the sacrament to those who come forward to receive properly, unless directed otherwise by a pastor and/or bishop.

I do hope this helps; and apologize for my tardiness in answering your question.  Thanks for your patience.

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Chris

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