Francis J. Connell on Co-Operation of Catholics in Non-Catholic Religious Activities (excerpt) (1956)

[2] However, the chief problems connected with the association of Catholics with persons of other religions center about religious communication and co-operation. These two terms are not synonymous, [3] as used in theology. Communication in sacris signifies participation in public (official) non-Catholic religious rites. This is active when it involves a real participation in the functions, such as the reception of the sacraments, singing or organ-playing, joining in the prayers, etc. [emphasis mine] It is passive when it consists of one's mere presence at the service without any active participation. The rules for religious communication are thus expressed in the Code of Canon Law:

1. It is never lawful for the faithful to assist actively in any way or to take part in the religious rites of non-Catholics.

2. Passive, or merely material presence can be tolerated, by reason of civil duty or honor, for a grave reason, to be approved by the Bishop in case of doubt, at the funerals, marriages and similar solemnities of non-Catholics, provided there is no danger of perversion and scandal.[6]

However, the purpose of the series of articles now beginning is to consider problems of co-operation, rather than communication, on the part of Catholics in the religious activities of non-Catholics. Co-operation has a wider scope than communication. There are many ways of co-operation in religious matters without being present at religious functions. Decisions of the Holy See have given directions regarding many of the problems of co-operation in non-Catholic religious activities; but many others are left to the judgment of theologians and canonists. In the United States such problems are numerous at the present day; hence, it is my purpose to discuss a number of such problems, in the hope that this discussion may be helpful to our priests, so often confronted with questions of this nature. I shall be grateful if my brother-priests who read these articles and have encountered some unusual cases pertinent to this type of co-operation will send them to me for inclusion in this series.

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Footnotes:

6. Can. 1258.

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Source: Francis J. Connell, Co-Operation of Catholics in Non-Catholic Religious Activities (Washington DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1956), 2–3.

This booklet is reprinted from The American Ecclesiastical Review 134 (1956).

Communicatio in sacris