Baby receiving Eucharist in Latin Rite

[5Loaves]

Father Deacon-

elizaveta,

Latin priests have no right to deny Communion to Eastern Catholic infants. Your attitude is repugnant and smacks of the Latin first attittude the Catholic Church disowned at Vatican II.

There should never be a scandal because every Latin Catholic should have been educated about the sacramental practice of Eastern Catholics. The real scandal is the fact the Latin Church has failed to educate its members about their fellow Catholics.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Thank you.

The emphasis in the Second Vatican Council was so explicit and strong that the every effort be made that Churches of the East be restored and flourish, which has so clearly been the intent of the Holy Fathers then and since.

PARTICIPATION IN THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST: Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

I’ll be happy to ask about this on Sat. in my Canon Law class when we are scheduled to go over the Canons related to Confirmation and Eucharist. It would be my guess that the “law” in this case would be the CCEO since the Code of the Latin Church does not govern the Eastern Catholics. Under CCEO a baby who has received the Rites of Initiation, as would normally be the case for an EC baby, can licitly receive Holy Eucharist, in any Catholic Church

The 383 codes pertain to different topic-- authority at the level of the diocese or other particular church: Particular Churches and the Authority Established in Them. It seems entirely contrary to the intent of the Holy See, the intent that the rights of Eastern Catholics be fully respected, that a local bishop would seek to exercise his authority by acting in contradiction to that intention. Personally, I’ve never heard of this happening.

 

[mardukm]

Dear brother Brendan,

There is also this canon

Can. 843 ß1 Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.

The last part is the key, an Eastern Catholic falls under the Eastern Code of Canon Law, even within a latin parish.

A latin priest may no more deny the Eucharist to an Eastern Infant than a Eastern Priest may deny such to a Latin who presents himself after having followed the Latin canons on fasting before the recieving the Eucharist, but not the Eastern ones.

That’s a good canon, but I’ve got a better one:

Canon 214 of the Latin Code:
CHRIST’S FAITHFUL HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF THEIR OWN RITE APPROVED BY THE LAWFUL PASTORS OF THE CHURCH; THEY ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN FORM OF SPIRITUAL LIFE PROVIDED IT IS IN ACCORD WITH CHURCH TEACHING.

Brother Byzman, if that doesn’t help you, I don’t know what will.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Harpazo]

Dear Deacon Lance,

I have no need to write Rome. I was participating in an intellectual discussion about certain points of Canon Law with other adults. Your response to reading something you personally don’t agree with is to call me names and launch into a tirade based on your own prejudices and unfounded assumptions.

For your information, I am Orthodox, not Catholic. Trust me when I say that I do not have a “Latin first attitude”. I do however have an interest in Canon Law and it’s application in Roman Catholic life.

Since I attended an Eastern rite Catholic parish before my conversion to Orthodoxy, I am also better able to understand and address issues in the Eastern rite then you might be.

Perhaps if Vatican II had not been so insistent on removing it’s “latin first attitude” you might not be facing many of the problems in your Church including the lack of priestly and monastic vocations, the closing of churches, empty pews and coffers, and other sundry problems that your Church is now contending with. All of which began in the years following Vatican II.

Also, it is true that “every Latin Catholic should have been educated about the sacramental practice of Eastern Catholics”, but the fact is they are not. Many, probably most, Catholics are not even aware of the existence of the Eastern rites, much less what they teach. This problem certainly needs to be addressed. But the way to fix it is through a concerted educational effort by the hierarchy of the Church, not by scandalizing uninformed but faithful Catholics during communion. This is especially true if it negatively affects the newly forming faith of their children.

Um, forgive me if this is a crazy question, but your profile says “catholic.”

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Pani_Rose]

This might help, I did some searching…

If I May**: OUR CASE IS HEARD b*y ***Richard R. Velazquez
**
Ever since I married my wife Shedha at St. Anne Melkite church in North Hollywood, CA, I knew that someday we would have our own children and that we would bring them to Christianity through the Melkite Church. I have always felt that it is a great spiritual joy and pride when an Eastern Christian parent brings his or her infant child to receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ during the Divine Liturgy. My day of joy came when I initiated my two adopted children on December 20, 1998, at St. Phillip Melkite Mission in San Bernardino, CA. The priest was Fr. Justin Rose. This was a wonderful day in the life of our families.

My joy however, was short lived. You see we live in an area which has no Melkite Church. St. Phillip is an hour away from our home and it is not always possible to attend Sunday Divine Liturgy there. We then attend Mass in a Latin church in either Desert Hot Springs or in Palm Springs. Soon after initiating my children I attended Mass in the Latin church of St. Elizabeth of Hungry in Desert Hot Springs. When I approached the Altar with my children, the priest refused to give my son Fans and my daughter Henadee communion. He stated that when I am in a Roman church I must do as the Romans. I then spoke with another priest in Palm Springs and he gave my children communion only once. I did not question him as to why he did not continue. I did not want to cause any problem. I then attended the Divine Liturgy in both Orthodox churches in the Desert and they too refused to give us communion unless we became Orthodox. I explained that I was already Orthodox but that I was in union with Rome. The thought of converting to the Greek or Antiochian Orthodox Church did cross my mind but then I recalled the sermon of our late Patriarch Maximos V Hakim in which he thanked and implored all Melkites for not leaving the faith to either the Latin or the Orthodox Churches.

Each Sunday when I would attend mass in a Latin Church I would take the Eucharist in the hand and not consume it until I went to the pew and shared it with my children. I was questioned twice as to why I did this? The Latin Catholics could not understand why a child or infant could receive communion. I explained to them that while they had their age of reason, we, the Melkites, had the Holy Spirit.
In late 1999 or early 2000 while visiting Fr. Joe, a retired Ruthenian priest I noticed that he had a booklet titled “Eastern Catholics in the United States.” (This booklet was published by the Committee on the Relationship between the Eastern and Latin Catholic Churches National Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 1999) I borrowed the booklet and read it from cover to cover. On pages 26 through 29 it explains the Eastern Holy Mystery of Christian Initiation and that infants are given communion. It goes on to state on page 28 Paragraph 4 that “Holy Communion may be received in any Catholic Church.” I tried to bring this fact to the Latin priest in my area but I was not able to find the diplomatic terms or words to do so.

It was not until I attended the Grand Opening of Martha’s Village and Kitchen in Indio, CA, on January or February 2001, that I was to do anything about it. The Latin Bishop of San Bernardino was present and after the services I approached him. I explained my situation to him and he informed me that the rules had been revised and that it was no longer an issue. He asked me to write him a letter and that he would take care of the issue. And, as you can see from the following letter the issue is now History:

CON’T…

 

[Pani_Rose]

“Dear Mr. Velazquez:

                  God’s blessing to you. This letter is in response to your e-mail which followed our conversation at Martha’s Kitchen regarding your children not being allowed to receive communion either at St. Elizabeth in Desert Hot Springs or at Our Lady of Solitude in Palm Springs. I apologize for the delay. I appreciate that this is a matter of serious concern to you and your family. **Eastern Catholics in communion with the Catholic Church have the right to receive communion in our Church and are to be welcomed to the Eucharist in all the parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA.

**

                 In his Decree on the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite, Pope Paul VI, on November 21, 1964, says: 3. These individual Churches, whether of the East or the West, although they differ somewhat among themselves in rite, that is, in liturgy, ecclesiastical discipline, and spiritual heritage, are nevertheless, each as much as the others, entrusted to the pastoral government of the Roman Pontiff, the divinely appointed successor of St. Peter in primacy over the universal Church. **They are consequently of equal dignity, so that none of them is superior to the others as regards to rite and they enjoy the same rights and are under the same obligations, also in respect of preaching the Gospel to the whole world (cf. Mark 16,15) under the guidance of the Roman Pontiff.

**

                 In his **1995 **apostolic letter, **Orientate                     Lumen, **The Light of the East, Pope John Paul II wrote, “A particular thought goes out to the lands of the Diaspora where many faithful of the Eastern Churches who have left their countries of origin are living in a mainly Latin environment.” The Pope continued, “I particularly urge the Latin Ordinaries in these countries to study attentively, grasp thoroughly and apply faithfully the principles issued by this Holy See concerning ecumenical cooperation and the pastoral care of the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches, especially when they lack their own hierarchy.” As Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino, I understand that in this big diocese it is not always possible for the faithful to attend their own church on Sundays though this is considered first choice. When Eastern Catholic families like yours celebrate the Sunday obligation in one of our Latin Catholic Parishes they are welcome to the Eucharistic table. 



                 **The Committee on the Relationship between Eastern and Latin Catholic Churches of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in their work **“Eastern                     Catholics in the United States of America,” **in 1999, explains that in the USA, “It is the normal practice of the Church that Catholics celebrate the Lord’s day by participating in the celebration of the Eucharist in a community of their own church. Nevertheless, where there is diversity of Churches in the one place, the faithful worthily celebrate the resurrection of Jesus by attending the Eucharist in any of the autonomous ritual Churches.”**


                 Holy Communion may be received in any Catholic Church. Since sacramental initiation in the mystery of salvation is perfected in the reception of the Divine Eucharist, children of Eastern Catholic Churches who have not received the Eucharist at the time of their Christian initiation, should receive their first Holy Communion in their own autonomous Church.


                 May God bless you for your continued commitment to Our Lord Jesus Christ and our Christian faith. Thank you for sharing with me your concern in this matter.

                                     
                 Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Gerald R. Barnes, Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino”

melkite.org/sa37.htm

 

[5Loaves]

…The Pope continued, “I particularly urge the Latin Ordinaries in these countries to study attentively, grasp thoroughly and apply faithfully the principles issued by this Holy See concerning ecumenical cooperation and the pastoral care of the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches, especially when they lack their own hierarchy.” …When Eastern Catholic families like yours celebrate the Sunday obligation in one of our Latin Catholic Parishes they are welcome to the Eucharistic table.
…Holy Communion may be received in any Catholic Church…

Thanks for providing this, which contains nothing that surprises me in the very solid response by Bishop Barnes, including, sadly, the experience and frustrations of the original writer. Since this says it was written and posted in 2001 we should all have it book marked At least we will now

Since sacramental initiation in the mystery of salvation is perfected in the reception of the Divine Eucharist, children of Eastern Catholic Churches who have not received the Eucharist at the time of their Christian initiation, should receive their first Holy Communion in their own autonomous Church…

I wonder if this would be referring to children whose parents are from an Eastern church but lacking a church of their rite have had their child Baptized in a Latin church parish or in a case of necessity (fear of death). What other occasion would there be for a child of ECC parents to not receive Mystery of Initiation is a three fold form at the time of their Baptism? It does seem yet again to affirm the importance of preserving the primary connection of ECs with their church sui iuris.

 

[mardukm]

PARTICIPATION IN THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST: Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

I don’t think this canon would help. You can’t take the word “law” in the Latin Code, and insert “Eastern law” into it, and vice-versa. What we need are canons that could permit an exception.

The 383 codes pertain to different topic-- authority at the level of the diocese or other particular church: Particular Churches and the Authority Established in Them…

This is exactly where we need to look for the “exception” because the LIturgy is under the purview of the local bishop.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Aramis]

I wonder if this would be referring to children whose parents are from an Eastern church but lacking a church of their rite have had their child Baptized in a Latin church parish or in a case of necessity (fear of death). What other occasion would there be for a child of ECC parents to not receive Mystery of Initiation is a three fold form at the time of their Baptism? It does seem yet again to affirm the importance of preserving the primary connection of ECs with their church sui iuris.

It’s just as applicable to the more latinized of the Ruthenian and Ukrainian parishes, where sometimes communion is delayed until age 8 or so…

 

[5Loaves]

Found my copy of the USCCB Eastern Catholics in the United States of America from which the Bishop has drawn his references:

In his Decree on the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite, Pope Paul VI, on November 21, 1964, says: 3. These individual Churches, whether of the East or the West, although they differ somewhat among themselves in rite, that is, in liturgy, ecclesiastical discipline, and spiritual heritage, are nevertheless, each as much as the others, entrusted to the pastoral government of the Roman Pontiff, the divinely appointed successor of St. Peter in primacy over the universal Church. They are consequently of equal dignity, so that none of them is superior to the others as regards to rite and they enjoy the same rights and are under the same obligations, also in respect of preaching the Gospel to the whole world (cf. Mark 16,15) under the guidance of the Roman Pontiff.

Ecclesiarum Orientalium (Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite) no 3

In his **1995 **apostolic letter, **Orientate Lumen, **The Light of the East, Pope John Paul II wrote, “A particular thought goes out to the lands of the Diaspora where many faithful of the Eastern Churches who have left their countries of origin are living in a mainly Latin environment.”

Orientale Lumen no 26

The Pope continued, “I particularly urge the Latin Ordinaries in these countries to study attentively, grasp thoroughly and apply faithfully the principles issued by this Holy See concerning ecumenical cooperation and the pastoral care of the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches, especially when they lack their own hierarchy.”

Orientale Lumen no26

The entire quote is taken directly from the USCCB Eastern Catholics in the United States of America pp 7-8

The Committee on the Relationship between Eastern and Latin Catholic Churches of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in their work **“Eastern Catholics in the United States of America,” **in 1999, explains that in the USA, “It is the normal practice of the Church that Catholics celebrate the Lord’s day by participating in the celebration of the Eucharist in a community of their own church. Nevertheless, where there is diversity of Churches in the one place, the faithful worthily celebrate the resurrection of Jesus by attending the Eucharist in any of the autonomous ritual Churches.”

USCCB Eastern Catholics in the United States of America pg28

Holy Communion may be received in any Catholic Church. Since sacramental initiation in the mystery of salvation is perfected in the reception of the Divine Eucharist, children of Eastern Catholic Churches who have not received the Eucharist at the time of their Christian initiation, should receive their first Holy Communion in their own autonomous Church.

USCCB Eastern Catholics in the United States of America pg 27

I’ve just found on lineEastern Catholics in the United States of America , so you could have looked up his quotes your selves LOL

 

[5Loaves]

It’s just as applicable to the more latinized of the Ruthenian and Ukrainian parishes, where sometimes communion is delayed until age 8 or so…

Would they still have been Chrismated at their Baptism or does that vary?

 

[Pani_Rose]

In the Byzantine Churches they should receive Chrismation at Baptism with Communion. However, there are some parishes that still have 'First Communion, but the baby would receive Chrismation either way. Many parishes and families then will have a celebration for ‘First Confession’, which puts emphasis on the sacrament.

 

[gmcbroom]

Please forgivie me if what I say offends anyone I deeply apologize. Keep in mind that I’m new to Catholism and intend to learn all I can so this discussion does have a benefit to me. I was under the impression that if an Eastern Catholic could not find a church of their Rite, then 2 options are up to them.

1 That they seek the local Catholic church and go there.
or
2 That they can refrain from attending service with no penalty as they don’t have their perspective church nearby and its acceptable to keep to their traditions and prevent the Latinization of their faith.

 Note there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Latin church they are simply more numerous than their Eastern counterparts. So if an Eastern Catholic is denied communion in a Latin church they need not worry.  So as the OP mentioned that  they know where an Eastern church is though its distant, They can go to that church.  If they can't do it all the time then they need only go when they can.  Now for our Latin brothers and Sisters the same would hold for them if they were in the same situation.  So distance seems to be the key here.  Also a point of contention was the age of the infant.  Different Rites have different rules concerning Eucharist.  The OP's traition allowed for it at an earlier age than a Roman Catholic would.  The posters mistake was assuming the priest was aware of that.  However, peoples education varies in all walks of life.  We are not ALL KNOWING.  :)  so they should treat this as a learning experience and go to their church when they can.

Just me 2 cents. ’

 

[Diak]

The USCCB’s guidance document on the Eastern Churches implores Latin bishops and priests to give pastoral considerations to Eastern Catholics. I have not yet been refused when I asked the priest well ahead of Mass, and I have even had my kids receive Communion with the FSSP when we were not able to attend our parish.

 

[5Loaves]

The emphasis in the Second Vatican Council was so explicit and strong that the every effort be made that Churches of the East be restored and flourish, which has so clearly been the intent of the Holy Fathers then and since.

PARTICIPATION IN THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST: Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

I’ll be happy to ask about this on Sat. in my Canon Law class when we are scheduled to go over the Canons related to Confirmation and Eucharist. It would be my guess that the “law” in this case would be the CCEO since the Code of the Latin Church does not govern the Eastern Catholics. Under CCEO a baby who has received the Rites of Initiation, as would normally be the case for an EC baby, can licitly receive Holy Eucharist, in any Catholic Church

The 383 codes pertain to different topic-- authority at the level of the diocese or other particular church: Particular Churches and the Authority Established in Them. It seems entirely contrary to the intent of the Holy See, the intent that the rights of Eastern Catholics be fully respected, that a local bishop would seek to exercise his authority by acting in contradiction to that intention. Personally, I’ve never heard of this happening.

I did speak with Father Robert about it in class and in more detail at the break. He said that when an Eastern Catholic presents himself for communion in a Latin church he is falling under the canons of both the East and the West.

Concerning a baby, the faithful are to observe faithfully the norms of the Church sui iuris in which the parents are/father is enrolled. If the the Church sui iuris in which the parents are enrolled would allow the child/baby to receive euchartist then under canon 912 quoted above the baby/child must be admitted. Other canons such as those pertaining to the authority of the bishop are not relevant to this issue.

He further said that it is the responsibility of the minister of Holy Communion, ordinary and extraordinary, to safeguard the Holy Eucharist. It’s entirely appropriate for the priest to want to ascertain that indeed this is a parent whose Church sui iuris communes infants, and he, Fr. Robert, normally asks them what church they are from. Sometimes they fumble and can’t answer and he knows they are not in fact from an appropriate Eastern church, and yes he’s had people lie. So one should be prepared for this “due diligence” on the part of a minister of Holy Communion

He also reiterated what several people here have said already about how important it is to approach the priest well in advance of Mass, not just in the 5 minutes when he’s getting ready to head down the aisle. Anyone who has worked with priests in lay ministry knows they do not like last minute requests of any kind right before Mass.

 

[hangel]

If nothig was said to the congragation most people probably would not even notice a baby recieveng, most people are concentrating on praying instead of looking around at others anyways. My children go up with me and the priest touches them on the head and gives a blessing. From the sie or the back of the church you would not be able to tell if the recieved communion or not. and I am alway up for catichising my children nomatter how young, they have to learn sooer or later.

 

[TEX]

I was visiting a Latin parish once, where a visiting Eastern couple wished to have their child commune. They approached the priest about it before Mass, and the priest made a formal announcement of the matter to the congregation to make sure no one would be scandalized.

How would they be scandalized by a child being in Communion with them? “Let the children come to me.”

 

[Vico]

TEX, Scandal is setting a wrong example, which it could be if there was a misunderstanding, since it is not canonical for Latin Church infants to receive the Holy Eucharist.

 

[TEX]

TEX, Scandal is setting a wrong example, which it could be if there was a misunderstanding, since it is not canonical for Latin Church infants to receive the Holy Eucharist.

Latin Rite infants could receive if their parents wished, correct? Or is it just not allowed?

 

[TEX]

Come to think of it…is there a cannon law term in the west for infants and children who have been baptized, but not given Communion yet? I realize they have not been formally excommunicated, but what exactly is their status…they are in the Church by virtue of their baptism, but not in Communion with the other members???

 

[5Loaves]

Questions about children of Latin Church parents communing in their Latin Church should be addressed in the Liturgy & Sacraments section of CAF, not in an old thread from 2009 here in Eastern Catholicism…