Sharing in Sacramental Life, especially the Eucharist
The two basic principles which should be kept in mind in sharing a sacramental life with Christians of other churches and ecclesial communities are the baptism which constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn and secondly by baptism also these communities are brought into a real, even if imperfect communion with the Catholic Church.
The condition under which a catholic minister may administer sacraments of Eucharist, of penance and of anointing of the sick to a baptized person of another church or ecclesial community is in case of danger of death and also if the person is unable to have recourse for the sacrament desired to a minister of his or her own church or ecclesial community. In addition, if the person asks for the sacrament of his or her own initiative manifest catholic faith in these sacraments and be properly disposed.
A catholic Christian may ask for the sacraments of the Eucharist, of penance and anointing of the sick from a minister of another church in whose church these sacraments are valid or from one who is known to be validly ordained according to the catholic teaching on ordination.
Communities to whose ministers, a catholic Christian may approach for the sacraments of Eucharist, of penance and anointing of the sick are, Ethiopian orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Old Catholic e.t.c. Others which a catholic Christian may not approach are churches like, All reformed churches, Ecclesial communities and Evangelical Churches e.t.c.
Catholic Churches are consecrated or blessed buildings which have an important theological and liturgical significant for the catholic community. However, if priests, minister or communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church do not have a place or liturgical objects necessary for celebrating worthily their religious ceremonies, the diocesan bishop may allow them to use the church or a catholic building. Under similar circumstances, permission may be given to them for interment or for the celebration of services at catholic cemeteries.
Some of the guidelines in the use of shared buildings to worship are:
-There must be authorization given by the diocesan bishop.
-Juridicious consideration should be given to the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.
-Before making plans for shared building, the authorities of the communities concerned should first reach agreement as how their various disciplines will be observed, particularly in regard to the sacrament.
Guidelines in giving opportunities for pastoral care for non-catholic Christians who belong to other churches or ecclesial communities (Schools, Institutions e.t.c) are:
-Every efforts should be made to respect the faith and conscience of students or teachers who belong to other churches or ecclesial communities.
-The authorities of these schools and institutions should take care that clergy of other communities have every facility for giving spiritual and sacramental ministration to their own faithful, who attend such schools or institutions.
-In hospitals, homes for the aged and similar institutions conducted by Catholics, the authorities should promptly advice priests and ministers of other communities of the presence of their faithful and afford them every facility to visit these persons and give them spiritual and sacramental ministrations.
Mixed Marriages
Mixed marriages have challenges and strengths at the same time. Children are the common concern and source of challenge within this type of marriage because parents may not agree on which faith to teach their children. Another challenge includes resistance from family members who feel that the person is not embracing his or her own faith.
Also there is danger on one person losing his or her own faith to mixed marriage.
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