Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: MNHCC@cunyvm.bitnet Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Convert Message-ID: Date: 27 Jun 91 06:26:19 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center Lines: 20 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Gabriel, The Catholic bishops of the United States require that the missalettes distributed in Catholic churches include a set of guidelines on receiving communion, from which I quote: "We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united with us. It is a consequence of the sad divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend to them a general invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship. Reception of the Eucharist by Christian not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray." You ask, "why do Catholics believe that Communion is actual- ly the body of Christ?" Because He said so in John 6:51-58; Matt 26:26-28, etc. Cf. 1 Cor 10:16; 1 Cor 11:23-32 Marty Helgesen