Communion without baptism?

Yesterday in the Vicar's Bible Study we discussed whether it's necessary for a person to be baptized before receiving Communion. Every Sunday I issue the invitation for Communion saying, All baptized people are welcome to receive Communion at St. Antony's." But should I drop the baptism requirement so that we appear more welcoming and inclusive?

The Canons of the Episcopal Church are clear on this:
"No unbaptized person shall be eligible to receive Holy Communion in this Church."

Despite this, there is a trend in the Episcopal Church to allow Communion without baptism. Several arguments are put forward to justify giving Communion without requiring the person to be baptized:

• One of the most remarkable things about Jesus was his open table fellowship. He was very open about eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. Why should we be more exclusive than Jesus?

• There’s no logical priority of one sacrament over the other. Receiving Communion may even be the way that some people are brought to Christ.

• In today’s inclusive society, the Church is perceived as narrow and exclusive if we bar some people from participation.
  

In defense of a requirement of baptism are several arguments:

• Baptism is the primary sacrament of membership and Eucharist is the sacrament of spiritual nourishment.
• The practice of the early church was always to baptize a person before allowing them to receive Communion.
• Giving Communion without asking for a commitment of faith is a cheapening of the sacrament. Good boundaries are important.
  

We discussed these arguments in our Bible Study. Most people felt that we should continue to require baptism before Communion, but not in a way that was rigid or off-putting.
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