DIOCESE OF SHREWSBURY COMMISSION FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
CHRISTIANS GROWING TOGETHER
(2) Liturgical and Sacramental Sharing
"By the sacrament of baptism a person is truly incorporated into Christ and into his
Church and is reborn to a sharing of divine life. Baptism, therefore, constitutes the
sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn." (Ecumenical
Directory 1993. no. 92).
Many Catholics have close family and friends from other Christian traditions, who
they would wish to join with them in Christian celebrations marking important
events in their lives, such as Christenings, Weddings and Funerals and to
participate in them as far as possible.
There are also other times when Christians may wish to participate in each
others' liturgies. These notes are intended as an outline of the extent of the
participation permitted by the Church.
Funerals
A Catholic funeral may be given to Christians of other traditions if their own
minister is not available, unless it was clearly against their will.
Sacramental Liturgies
Baptism:
At a Catholic baptism, while the ministers of other Christian traditions may not join
the Catholic minister in conferring the sacrament, they may, with the Bishop's
permission, read a lesson or offer a prayer.
A Catholic minister may (with the bishop's permission) read a lesson or offer a prayer
at a baptism in another tradition (provided that the celebration does not conflict with
Catholic principles or discipline).
Godparents should be of the same tradition as that of the baptism, but a Christian of
another tradition may be a witness at a Catholic baptism in addition to the Catholic
godparent. A Catholic may be a witness in a baptism of another tradition.
Mixed Marriages (between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian):
At Catholic weddings, another Christian may be best man and a Catholic may do the
same at weddings of another tradition.
Unless there is a Nuptial Mass, a minister of another tradition may be invited to offer
prayers, read a lesson, give an address and bless the couple, if the bishop gives his
permission.
If, for a serious reason, the wedding takes place in a non-Catholic church (this must
have the bishop's permission) a Catholic minister may accept an invitation to offer
prayers, read a lesson, give an address and bless the couple, if the bishop gives his
permission.
At a Catholic Eucharist another Christian may only read a lesson, if the bishop
allows it for a good reason.
Sacramental Sharing
The Sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick may be
given to baptised Christians of other traditions who greatly desire to receive them,
freely request them and manifest the faith which the Catholic Church professes with
regard to these sacraments, if there is a danger of death or if there is some 'other
grave and pressing need'.
This may, at times, include a unique occasion in the life of a family or an individual,
such as a 'one off' situation associated with joy or sorrow in the life of a family or a
significant moment of a person's life, e.g., Baptism, Confirmation, first Communion,
weddings, Ordination and death. It is for the bishop or his deputy to judge the gravity
of the need and exceptional nature of the situation.
It is not permissible for Catholics to receive the sacraments from an Anglican
minister or the minister of a tradition which has its roots in the Reformation.
In case of grave need, they may receive them from a minister whose ordination is
recognised in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
Sharing with Eastern Christians
Because of the closeness in matters of faith between the Catholic Church and the
Eastern Churches, greater sharing is permitted.
Catholics may read a lesson at Eastern liturgical celebrations, if invited, and Eastern
Christians may read a lesson in similar services in Catholic churches.
A suitable Orthodox Christian may, for a good reason, be a godparent as long as the
other godparent is a Catholic. A Catholic may be a godparent at an Orthodox
baptism, if invited
A Catholic minister may take part in a wedding celebrated between Eastern
Christians, or between an Eastern Christian and a Catholic (if it accords with the
norms concerning mixed marriages), if invited by the Eastern Church authority.
Eastern Christians may be a bridesmaid or best man in a wedding in a Catholic
church and Catholics may take a similar role in a wedding in an Eastern church.
Members of the Eastern Churches may be admitted to Holy Communion and the
sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, if they spontaneously ask for
them and are properly disposed.
In case of necessity, or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, a Catholic, for
whom it is morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, may receive Holy
Communion and the sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick from a
minister of an Eastern Church which is not in communion with the Catholic Church,
Such cases are rare in Britain.
It is important that Catholics carefully respect the rules and the discipline of the
various Eastern Churches. Sacramental sharing may not always be permitted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------These notes are a very brief summary of the relevant sections of the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on
Ecumenism, issued by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 1993, to which reference should be made for more
comprehensive information. The English translation is published by GTS publications.
A popular version of the Directory was published by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales in 2002, under the
title "The Search for Christian Unity'.
The notes also summarise the General Norms for notes Sacramental Sharing set out in paragraphs 95-117 of the teaching
document, 'One Bread, One Body' by the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland, in 1998,
(co-published by the Catholic Truth Society, London, and Veritas Publications, Dublin) to which reference should be made for
precise information.