Can an Eastern Rite Catholic receive sacraments from a Roman rite priest?

[TheWiseMan]

First of all, I must point out the important fact that is question is in regards to something I am planning to write about in a novel that I am writing.

Now that the important fact is out of the way, here’s the question: is it possible for an Eastern rite Catholic to receive the sacraments, specifically, the Sacrament of Reconciliation? If such act is allowable, which one? And while we’re at it, can the same be said vice versa (i.e.: a Roman rite Catholic receiving sacraments from an Eastern rite priest).

I look forward to hearing any responses.

-TWM

 

[Vico]

First of all, I must point out the important fact that is question is in regards to something I am planning to write about in a novel that I am writing.

Now that the important fact is out of the way, here’s the question: is it possible for an Eastern rite Catholic to receive the sacraments, specifically, the Sacrament of Reconciliation? If such act is allowable, which one? And while we’re at it, can the same be said vice versa (i.e.: a Roman rite Catholic receiving sacraments from an Eastern rite priest).

I look forward to hearing any responses.

-TWM

Yes, a Catholic or any of the 24 sui iuris Catholic Churches may receive from any of those. Some require specific permissions because the different canon laws to preserve sacramental discipline of each* sui iuris* Catholic Church, but it is normal to receive the Holy Mysteries of Eucharist and Penance.CCEO (eastern canon law) Canon 671

§1. Catholic ministers licitly administer the sacraments only to Catholic Christian faithful, who, likewise, licitly receive the sacraments only from Catholic ministers.

…

CIC (Latin canon law) Canon 844

§1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and can. 861, §2.

…

 

[tweedlealice]

I have personal experience here. Eastern Rite ( Greek)==no to Roman. Roman= Yes to Greek per parish priest of both churches. Russian rite Eastern Orto=No to Rome. Rome=Yes to Russian Ortho. Overseas. in Republic of Georgia. No to Rome. Didn’t go to Roman church just found out where it was when I was leaving. Going back-maybe end of May (Son lives there) will tell you then. Vatican,I think, has open the door. But, you see in the year 500AD Rome sent the Knights Templer to massacre all the Orthodox priests in Constantinople and the worshipers. They have a sore wound that is tough healing. We both believe the Divine Presenc. Politics on Ortho church

So the beat goes on.Who will lead the church if they unite. Can they co-rule equally. There couldn’t be a Pres and VP. No humility here.

In Christs’Love
tweedlealice

 

[DeniseNY]

I have personal experience here. Eastern Rite ( Greek)==no to Roman. Roman= Yes to Greek per parish priest of both churches. Russian rite Eastern Orto=No to Rome. Rome=Yes to Russian Ortho. Overseas. in Republic of Georgia. No to Rome. Didn’t go to Roman church just found out where it was when I was leaving. Going back-maybe end of May (Son lives there) will tell you then. Vatican,I think, has open the door. But, you see in the year 500AD Rome sent the Knights Templer to massacre all the Orthodox priests in Constantinople and the worshipers. They have a sore wound that is tough healing. We both believe the Divine Presenc. Politics on Ortho church

So the beat goes on.Who will lead the church if they unite. Can they co-rule equally. There couldn’t be a Pres and VP. No humility here.

In Christs’Love
tweedlealice

I’m sorry, perhaps I’m misunderstanding. Are you saying that Eastern Rite Catholics cannot receive in a Roman Catholic Church?

 

[AnthonyJ]

I have personal experience here. Eastern Rite ( Greek)==no to Roman. Roman= Yes to Greek per parish priest of both churches. Russian rite Eastern Orto=No to Rome. Rome=Yes to Russian Ortho. Overseas. in Republic of Georgia. No to Rome. Didn’t go to Roman church just found out where it was when I was leaving. Going back-maybe end of May (Son lives there) will tell you then. Vatican,I think, has open the door. But, you see in the year 500AD Rome sent the Knights Templer to massacre all the Orthodox priests in Constantinople and the worshipers. They have a sore wound that is tough healing. We both believe the Divine Presenc. Politics on Ortho church

So the beat goes on.Who will lead the church if they unite. Can they co-rule equally. There couldn’t be a Pres and VP. No humility here.

In Christs’Love
tweedlealice

There are so many errors in this post I don’t even know where to begin. The Knights Templar did not even exist in 500 AD. They were formed in the twelfth century. They were never sent to Constantinople to kill Orthodox priests. I am assuming you are referring to the Fourth Crusade and the sacking of Constantinople which took place in 1204 AD. The history of that crusade is much more complicated than Catholics trying to massacre Orthodox. As for communion between Greek Catholics and Roman Catholics it is allowed as they are in union with each other. Unless you are referring to Greek Orthodox, but it isn’t clear from your post.

 

[St_Francis]

I have personal experience here. Eastern Rite ( Greek)==no to Roman. Roman= Yes to Greek per parish priest of both churches. Russian rite Eastern Orto=No to Rome. Rome=Yes to Russian Ortho. Overseas. in Republic of Georgia. No to Rome. Didn’t go to Roman church just found out where it was when I was leaving. Going back-maybe end of May (Son lives there) will tell you then. Vatican,I think, has open the door. But, you see in the year 500AD Rome sent the Knights Templer to massacre all the Orthodox priests in Constantinople and the worshipers. They have a sore wound that is tough healing. We both believe the Divine Presenc. Politics on Ortho church

So the beat goes on.Who will lead the church if they unite. Can they co-rule equally. There couldn’t be a Pres and VP. No humility here.

In Christs’Love
tweedlealice

The problem you encountered was that you received from *Orthodox *priests, not Eastern Catholic priests. There are Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic parishes, and the Greek Catholics are united with the Pope, but the Orthodox are not. They use the same rite, but have a different relationship with Rome.

The Orthodox are pretty much forbidden to receive from Catholic priests, but Catholic priests are allowed to give them the sacraments in times of need. Catholics are permitted to receive the sacraments from the Orthodox if there is no Catholic priest available, but they are supposed to tell the Orthodox priest they are Catholic. Since the Orthodox priests are forbidden to give the sacraments to Catholics, they usually refuse. (Kind of a complex situation.)

 

[St_Francis]

I have personal experience here. Eastern Rite ( Greek)==no to Roman. Roman= Yes to Greek per parish priest of both churches. Russian rite Eastern Orto=No to Rome. Rome=Yes to Russian Ortho. Overseas. in Republic of Georgia. No to Rome. Didn’t go to Roman church just found out where it was when I was leaving. Going back-maybe end of May (Son lives there) will tell you then. Vatican,I think, has open the door. But, you see in the year 500AD Rome sent the Knights Templer to massacre all the Orthodox priests in Constantinople and the worshipers. They have a sore wound that is tough healing. We both believe the Divine Presenc. Politics on Ortho church

So the beat goes on.Who will lead the church if they unite. Can they co-rule equally. There couldn’t be a Pres and VP. No humility here.

In Christs’Love
tweedlealice

The problem you encountered was that you received from *Orthodox *priests, not Eastern Catholic priests. There are Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic parishes, and the Greek Catholics are united with the Pope, but the Orthodox are not. They use the same rite, but have a different relationship with Rome.

The Orthodox are pretty much forbidden to receive from Catholic priests, but Catholic priests are allowed to give them the sacraments in times of need. Catholics are permitted to receive the sacraments from the Orthodox if there is no Catholic priest available, but they are supposed to tell the Orthodox priest they are Catholic. Since the Orthodox priests are forbidden to give the sacraments to Catholics, they usually refuse. (Kind of a complex situation.)

 

[chimo]

The problem you encountered was that you received from *Orthodox *priests, not Eastern Catholic priests. There are Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic parishes, and the Greek Catholics are united with the Pope, but the Orthodox are not. They use the same rite, but have a different relationship with Rome.

The Orthodox are pretty much forbidden to receive from Catholic priests, but Catholic priests are allowed to give them the sacraments in times of need. Catholics are permitted to receive the sacraments from the Orthodox if there is no Catholic priest available, but they are supposed to tell the Orthodox priest they are Catholic. Since the Orthodox priests are forbidden to give the sacraments to Catholics, they usually refuse. (Kind of a complex situation.)

Not necessary that the policy of these two Churches are obeyed. There is much confusion about Catholics and Orthodox receiving in each other Churches. Some parishes obey it while others do not. It is in this area of the world in Canada and the U.S.A. where it is quite impossible to know who is receiving. The fact is in my Orthodox parish Catholics can receive Holy Communion because one they are a part of the congregation and two when Catholics come to let us say a 40 day memorial they will usually come up to receive just like the Orthodox at the Divine Liturgy. In fact there is a large Maronite congregation that has friendly ties with the Orthodox congregation that mixed Holy Communions is a very common setting. It is quite impossible to do in these days what we have been doing for so long. Many Catholics have married Orthodox so that they can receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy without any statement from the Orthodox priest to say otherwise. In fact in Lebanon where the Maronites and the Orthodox had lived side by side do not find it a problem receiving in each other Churches so that when they came to Canada and the U.S.A there was no problem when we receive Holy Communion in each other Church’s especially here in Charlottetown, P.E.I. To answer the first post’s question and concerns there is no problem in receiving Communion in a latin rite Church if you are an Eastern Catholic. The same can be said about an Eastern Catholic receiving in a Roman Catholic parish. There is no problem. In fact as I said earlier there is no problem even among the Eastern Catholic Maronites and the Eastern Orthodox of the Antiochian rite.

 

[AnthonyJ]

I know Armenian and Syriac Orthodox are Oriental Orthodox rather than Eastern Orthodox, but they generally allow Catholics to receive Holy Communion in their parishes.

 

[Ignatius]

is it possible for an Eastern rite Catholic to receive the sacraments, specifically, the Sacrament of Reconciliation? If such act is allowable, which one? And while we’re at it, can the same be said vice versa (i.e.: a Roman rite Catholic receiving sacraments from an Eastern rite priest).

Any Catholic can receive the Sacraments in any Catholic Church, regardless of which Sui Juris Church they belong to. In other words, yes. The same is Not true with regard to the Eastern Orthodox Churches. They sometimes use the term catholic, so ask directly if they are in Full Communion with The Catholic Church.

 

[St_Francis]

Not necessary that the policy of these two Churches are obeyed. There is much confusion about Catholics and Orthodox receiving in each other Churches. Some parishes obey it while others do not. It is in this area of the world in Canada and the U.S.A. where it is quite impossible to know who is receiving. The fact is in my Orthodox parish Catholics can receive Holy Communion because one they are a part of the congregation and two when Catholics come to let us say a 40 day memorial they will usually come up to receive just like the Orthodox at the Divine Liturgy. In fact there is a large Maronite congregation that has friendly ties with the Orthodox congregation that mixed Holy Communions is a very common setting. It is quite impossible to do in these days what we have been doing for so long. Many Catholics have married Orthodox so that they can receive Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy without any statement from the Orthodox priest to say otherwise. In fact in Lebanon where the Maronites and the Orthodox had lived side by side do not find it a problem receiving in each other Churches so that when they came to Canada and the U.S.A there was no problem when we receive Holy Communion in each other Church’s especially here in Charlottetown, P.E.I. To answer the first post’s question and concerns there is no problem in receiving Communion in a latin rite Church if you are an Eastern Catholic. The same can be said about an Eastern Catholic receiving in a Roman Catholic parish. There is no problem. In fact as I said earlier there is no problem even among the Eastern Catholic Maronites and the Eastern Orthodox of the Antiochian rite.

I know Armenian and Syriac Orthodox are Oriental Orthodox rather than Eastern Orthodox, but they generally allow Catholics to receive Holy Communion in their parishes.

As I understand it, I outlined the *official *policies of the respective Churches. What individual parishes do is so often something else

 

[Joe_Kelley]

They can receive Absolution and Eucharist.

We had a Maronite who had not been Confirmed at Baptism and was getting married. She attended out parish regularly. The Maronites do not have Confirmation classes, since they confirm at Baptism; so sent her to us. She went through our adult program, and our pastor confirmed her with authorization from her bishop. It was made clear that it would require permission from the Pope for them to be married in the Western Church. *

I don’t know about the other sacraments.*

 

[RyanBlack]

They can receive Absolution and Eucharist.

We had a Maronite who had not been Confirmed at Baptism and was getting married. She attended out parish regularly. The Maronites do not have Confirmation classes, since they confirm at Baptism; so sent her to us. She went through our adult program, and our pastor confirmed her with authorization from her bishop. It was made clear that it would require permission from the Pope for them to be married in the Western Church. *

I don’t know about the other sacraments.*

If her husband is Maronite, permission from the Maronite bishop, but not from the Pope, would have been needed for them to be married in the Latin Church. If her husband is Latin, no permission at all would have been required. However, when an Eastern Catholic is married in the Latin Church, a priest must preside.

 

[Medical_Student]

As I understand it, I outlined the *official *policies of the respective Churches. What individual parishes do is so often something else

That’s not an official policy, though. I am unfamiliar with the Eastern Orthodox. But Syro-Malankara catholics and Jacobite orthodox can inter commune. Used to be with Malankara orthodox as well, until ‘politics’ a few years back. It’s all political BS.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

If her husband is Maronite, permission from the Maronite bishop, but not from the Pope, would have been needed for them to be married in the Latin Church. If her husband is Latin, no permission at all would have been required. However, when an Eastern Catholic is married in the Latin Church, a priest must preside.

As I said, I think it was their polite way of saying don’t ask. Everything was very friendly.

 

[GM_2013]

As I said, I think it was their polite way of saying don’t ask. Everything was very friendly.

No, Joe Kelley, you were absolutely right in your first post. It was not a polite way of saying no. They were serious about asking Rome first. Maronites are usually well acquainted with Eastern Canon Law. They even had one of their priests in the Roman Rota, Mgr. Hanna Alwan (now a bishop).

Permission from the Holy See (not from the Pope himself, but from the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, which receives delegated powers from the Pope himself) should be sought in this case for the **licit **celebration of this marriage in the Latin Church (I’m saying licit, not valid - people often make a confusion between these two different canonical concepts - for validity, the Maronite bishop’s or pastor’s consent would suffice).

They are both Maronites, so there is no element of connection with the Latin Church. That’s why the Congregation for the Eastern Churches has already declared that permission coming from the Holy See is needed for Eastern catholic to get licitly married in the Latin rite if both of them are Eastern Catholics. Have a look:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING THE LITURGICAL PRESCRIPTIONS OF THE CODE OF CANONS OF THE EASTERN CHURCHES
Congregation for the Eastern Churches

“83. It is always necessary to take into account that, with the exception of the case in which the Hierarch or the parish priest are of another Church , with respect to the norm of can. 916 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, the celebration must occur, , according to the rites of the spouses, or of one of them if it is an inter-ritual marriage. Therefore, a celebration in another rite is illicit, but can be authorized by the Apostolic See on a case by case basis.”
(Official text in English available at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/Istruzione/pdf/istruzione_inglese.pdf)

I tried to explain this in another post, but someone said I was wrong, because he was not aware of the difference between validity and liceity. Well, I think the person complaining should write a letter to the Congregation for Eastern Churches in the Vatican. I’m only repeating what they are saying, as shown above.

 

[thequeen]

I am a Latin Rite Catholic and sometimes attend a Ukrainian Catholic Church about thirty miles away and the priest lets me go to confession there he also gave me the sacrament of the sick and of course I was allowed to receive the Eucharist.When I asked him if it was okay he said yes because we were both in communion with Rome.

 

[GM_2013]

I am a Latin Rite Catholic and sometimes attend a Ukrainian Catholic Church about thirty miles away and the priest lets me go to confession there he also gave me the sacrament of the sick and of course I was allowed to receive the Eucharist.When I asked him if it was okay he said yes because we were both in communion with Rome.

The priest is absolutely right. All the sacraments mentioned by you can be received by a Catholic in any Catholic Church sui iuris because we are all in communion with each other. The restrictions apply only to Matrimony, Order and Confirmation (Chrismation). For the licit reception of these 3 sacraments, you should go to your own Catholic Church sui iuris (in your case, Latin Church), unless you have a special permission to receive them in another Church sui iuris (for Matrimony, it is also needed a special delegation for the validity of the sacrament).

If you have children, they must be baptized in the rite of the Catholic parents. If it is an interritual marriage (e.g., Latin Catholic with Ukrainian Catholic), you may choose in which of the two Catholic Churches sui iuris children will be baptized (whether Latin or Ukrainian). But it is not licit to have children baptized outside of the Church sui iuris of the Catholic parents, unless there is permission for it or there is no cleric of that Church sui iuris in the place of residence. E.g., a Catholic Chaldean couple living in a place where there is not a Chaldean priest - they can go to the Latin rite priest and have their child baptized in the Latin rite, but the child will be Chaldean Catholic anyway. The Church sui iuris of the children is determined by the enrollment of the parents in a particular Church sui iuris. It does not depend on the rite in which the children were actually baptized.

For all these rules and restrictions, there are good spiritual and practical reasons which justify these legal solutions. I won’t refer to these reasons here, but it is not only “legalistic” and “formal” stuff. There are deep, practical reason for these, believe me. I’m here only stating the legal solutions to different scenarios, but each of these solutions has a practical and spiritual dimension behind it.

 

[Vico]

I am a Latin Rite Catholic and sometimes attend a Ukrainian Catholic Church about thirty miles away and the priest lets me go to confession there he also gave me the sacrament of the sick and of course I was allowed to receive the Eucharist.When I asked him if it was okay he said yes because we were both in communion with Rome.

There are no restrictions on penance and eucharist for adult Catholics.CIC Canon 1003
§1. Every priest and a priest alone validly administers the anointing of the sick.
§2. All priests to whom the care of souls has been entrusted have the duty and right of administering the anointing of the sick for the faithful entrusted to their pastoral office. For a reasonable cause, any other priest can administer this sacrament with at least the presumed consent of the priest mentioned above.
§3. Any priest is permitted to carry blessed oil with him so that he is able to administer the sacrament of the anointing of the sick in a case of necessity.

CCEO Canon
§1. All priests, and only priests, validly administer the anointing of the sick.
§2. The administration of the anointing of the sick belongs to the pastor, parochial vicar and to all other priests for those persons committed to their care in virtue of their office; any priest can licitly administer this sacrament with at least the presumed permission of those mentioned, indeed, in case of necessity he must do so.

 

[MissRose73]

A bulletin from the Byzantine parish said that if the parish priest isn’t available, and you or someone you know needs Anointing of the Sick (not sure of the Eastern term), you can certain call on a local Roman Catholic priest in the local area.

I’ve received Eucharist at the Byzantine parish each time I’ve come. I’ve not gone for Confession/Penance in the Eastern Rite, not sure what the process is to receive that sacrament.

One of the parishioners in my church grew up Maronite Catholic but her family moved to an area when she was younger where there was no Maronite church so they went to a local Roman Catholic parish. Some of them go between the Maronite and the Roman churches, some stay with 1 rite vs the other.