Russian Church
Can my child who was baptized Russian Orthodox in America participate and take communion in a Catholic Church?
I am a Catholic and I married my husband, in a Russian Orthodox Church in America. I signed a form that agreed to raise my children Russian Orthodox. We also performed a baptism and first communion in the Orthodox church.
However, now we live in an area where there isn’t a Russian Church and I am a member of a very strong local Catholic Church and community. I would like to have my child participate in the Catholic church and the sacrament of communion.
Some questions I have:
-Is there an “agreement” between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church recognizing baptism and first communion? If so, what is this agreement or canon law referenced as?
-If there is not an agreement, must we convert the child to Catholism to participate in the sacrament of communion and attend the church?
-If they have already had first communion in the Orthodox church, do they need to go through the sacrament of first communion again at the Catholic Church?
No, your husband and son may not receive communion in a Roman Catholic church, nor may any member of any Orthodox church because Orthodox churches are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Only Roman Catholics may receive Roman Catholic communion. Your child may be received into the Roman Catholic Church if he expresses the sincere wish and fulfills whatever may be required, but first you would have to repent your sinful promise to raise him outside the faith and then have your illicit marriage reconciled to the Catholic Church in whose eyes you are not validly married at all. Until such time, you yourself should not be receiving communion. I do not write this to insult you, but merely to inform you as you have requested of the Catholic Church's teaching. Sadly, you may be on a collision course with your husband's beliefs (as you know). God bless you.
P.S. The Catholic Church recognizes all valid Christian baptisms provided they can be documented.
 |
 Christ Holy Trinity ANGELS Russian Church Prayer Icon  US $10.99
|
 RUSSIAN UKRAINIAN Christmas Church Bells MUSIC CD US $7.50
|
 Antique Russian Bronze Church Large Christian Cross US $249.99
|
 Lovely GUARDIAN ANGEL Russian Church Prayer Icon US $10.50
|
 MARY CHRIST RUSSIAN Church Healing Icon for Women US $10.99
|
 RUSSIAN ICON FOUR LEAVES WITH CRESTS CHURCH FEASTS B US $850.00
|
