Canon Laws of the Eastern and Latin Rites

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Some time back I remember reading that an individual baptized into the Latin Rite, but later exclusively attended some type of Eastern Rite Church, but never made a formal change to the Eastern Rite would still be under the guidelines of the Canons of the Latin Church. There was no detailed explanation of this and I can’t remember now where I read it.

I was left wondering what exactly this entailed. Obviously, there are differences in the liturgies and minor variations in the interpretations of teachings between the Rites. If an individual was attending an Eastern Rite but had not made a formal change would this impose different requirements of believe or practice? If so, what? I assume some of this might be such things as what Rite that individual’s children were baptized or possibly funeral arrangement in the event of a death.

Would anyone care to elaborate on this?
 
Looks like my first attempt to post this topic didn’t go for some reason, so I will try this again.

I read a while back (can’t remember the source) that if a Latin Rite Catholic later goes exclusively to a Eastern Rite Church but does not make a formal change of Rites they will still be subject to the Canons of the Latin Rite. No real explanation of what this entailed was given. I assume it would means that this might make some difference in how their children were to be baptized or funeral arrangements if they passed away. There are obvious differences in the liturgies and minor variations in the interpretation of the teachings. However, I am not sure the extent of what the attachment to either Rite entails in the day to day worship and events in that person’s life.

Anyone care to offer thoughts or an opinion on this?
 
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JW55 said:
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Yes, the canon law that binds those ascribed to a particular Catholic sui iuris church to apply their own law, and note that there are also particular sui iuris canon laws not just the general canon laws for Latin (CIC) and eastern (CCEO). It is important since not abiding by the canons can cause a marriage to be invalid. The sacramental discipline is different and the penitential seasons and practices are also.
 
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JW55 said:
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Not under guidelines but under canon laws. The proper pastor has responsibility for the parish in his care. Permissions must be sought from the proper pastor.

Latin Canon Law (CIC)
Can. 1 The canons of this Code regard only the Latin Church.

Can. 2 For the most part the Code does not define the rites which must be observed in celebrating liturgical actions. Therefore, liturgical laws in force until now retain their force unless one of them is contrary to the canons of the Code.

Can. 209 §1. The Christian faithful, even in their own manner of acting, are always obliged to maintain communion with the Church.
§2. With great diligence they are to fulfill the duties which they owe to the universal Church and the particular church to which they belong according to the prescripts of the law.

Can. 112 §2. The practice, however long standing, of receiving the sacraments according to the rite of another Church sui iuris , does not bring with it membership of that Church.
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Eastern Canon Law (CCEO)
Canon 1 - The canons of this Code affect all and solely the Eastern Catholic Churches, unless, with regard to relations with the Latin Church, it is expressly stated otherwise.

Canon 2 - The canons of the Code, in which for the most part the ancient law of the Eastern Churches is received or adapted, are to be assessed mainly according to that law.

Canon 3 - The Code, although it often refers to the prescriptions of liturgical books, does not for the most part legislate on liturgical matters; therefore, these norms are to be diligently observed, unless they are contrary to the canons of the Code.

Canon 12 - §1. The Christian faithful are bound by an obligation in their own patterns of activity always to maintain communion with the Church.
§2. They are to fulfill with great diligence the duties which they owe to the universal Church and to their own Church sui iuris.

Canon 38 - Christian faithful of Eastern Churches even if committed to the care of a hierarch or pastor of another Church sui iuris , nevertheless remain enrolled in their own Church.
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For example, if Eastern Catholics goes to Vesper service on Saturday it can replace their Sunday Obligation but it can’t do so for Latin Catholics. There is also difference in how long are you required to fast before receiving Eucharist. Eastern Catholics have different fasting periods than Latin Church does (and that is maintained by law too). There are frankly many other differences (otherwise there would be just one canon law and some exceptions would be written down).

Also as Vico above said, Marriage must be approved by Sui Iuris Church you belong to. And for Eastern Catholics, marrying with Deacon presiding is not an option even when marrying in Latin Rite (that’s canon law issue too). That is only sacrament dependent on Sui Iuris Church if I am correct. Confession requires jurisdiction but you can confess to Priest of any Rite and in any Sui Iuris Church, Baptism done even by member of another Rite does not automatically get you into their Church but to your Parent’s or Godparent’s Church (or one they would belong to canonically). Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox who convert to Catholicism are received into corresponding Eastern Church Iuris automatically regardless of whether they converted through different Rite or not.

That’s about all I can think of, but there are many other differences. Law applies differently because it is different - each Church Sui Iuris can have different disciplinary and pastoral laws for taking care of souls entrusted to Her. This means that even Eastern Catholic Churches can differ (Ukrainian Church can have different law than Coptic Church). What we all have in common is Divine Law (being in unity with Pope, male Priesthood, no contraception etc etc).
 
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I was not aware that attending Saturday night vespers for Eastern Catholics fulfilled their Sunday obligation but not also for Latin Catholics attending the same. I have been to Saturday night vespers in EC churches and a parishioner told me it fulfilled the Sunday obligation. From the way I read one of the responses here, an LC attending a EC vespers will not fulfill their obligation but will do so for a Eastern Rite Catholic.
 
Sorry for the earlier double posting. With so many people working at home during the CV isolation, our local system is overloaded and things type and post very slowly. When my 1st post didn’t go, I assumed something went wrong and I posted again. Then I saw it put both up. e-mails here are beginning to resemble snail mail in time responses.
 
So, technically would a Latin Catholic be able to be able to maintain membership in a specific EC Church and yet not make a formal change of Rites?
 
Yes, you can.

If someone finds themselves a home in an Eastern Church they can always request a change later on.
Any Catholic can attend any Catholic liturgy in any Catholic Church.
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There are parishioners at my Ukrainian Church that have been there for decades and never changed rites.

It is not uncommon for Eastern parishes to cease to offer services if there are not enough priests or parishioners. That leads to Easterns with no choice but to attend a Latin parish.

Fr. Deacon Christopher
 
JW55 said:
From the way I read one of the responses here, an LC attending a EC vespers will not fulfill their obligation but will do so for a Eastern Rite Catholic.
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I am not certain of the obligations placed on Eastern Catholics. However, the obligation on Latin Catholics can only be fulfilled by a celebration of a Eucharistic liturgy, e.g. Divine Liturgy. Vespers one not suffice for someone under Latin Canon Law. No matter how long one has exclusively attended an Eastern Catholic church, a Latin Catholic remains bound to Latin Catholic canon law.
 
OrbisNonSufficit said:
For example, if Eastern Catholics goes to Vesper service on Saturday it can replace their Sunday Obligation but it can’t do so for Latin Catholics. There is also difference in how long are you required to fast before receiving Eucharist. Eastern Catholics have different fasting periods than Latin Church does (and that is maintained by law too). There are frankly many other differences (otherwise there would be just one canon law and some exceptions would be written down).

Also as Vico above said, Marriage… That is only sacrament dependent on Sui Iuris Church if I am correct. … That’s about all I can think of, but there are many other differences. …
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My priest told me, and also I verified it in the canon law, that the sacraments of Christian Initiation require particular permissions. Depending upon the sui iuris ascription, Chrismation (Confirmation) and First Communion are done differently (for example at different ages). For the Holy Mystery of Repentance there are differences also, for example, the Latin Church sui iuris has reserved penalties, whereas the eastern sui iuris churches have reserved sins instead, and only ferendae sententiae penalties (no latae sententiae penalties). (Note that the Latin priest may be able to absolve and then the penalty is later lifted by the Bishop, however this is not the process in the eastern churches.) Other sins can be reserved by the eastern church. There is an additional impediment to matrimony of spiritual relationship (CCEO 811) in the eastern canon law.
 
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JW55 said:
So, technically would a Latin Catholic be able to be able to maintain membership in a specific EC Church and yet not make a formal change of Rites?
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I was actually attending Byzantine Catholic Church all the time (while not attending almost any Latin Rite Masses despite them being available to me) my first year at university. I am Latin Catholic and I will very likely stay one, but that does not mean I can not enjoy Eastern Divine Liturgies, theology or community. For me Church is far too diverse and beautiful to just experience one Rite 😃

Same way, I know family of Eastern Catholics that actually attend Latin Rite Masses most of the time, because getting to Divine Liturgy isn’t as easy. However they do make time to experience their own Rite too, and they travel sometimes to do so. They introduced me to Byzantine Catholicism for which I am grateful.

One should technically change Rites and formally transfer if they feel like other Rite is their home because indeed, Canon Law says we should live in our Rite mainly. But that does not mean one can not occasionally attend another Rite even for years.
 
Vico said:
My priest told me, and also I verified it in the canon law, that the sacraments of Christian Initiation require particular permissions. Depending upon the sui iuris ascription, Chrismation (Confirmation) and First Communion are done differently (for example at different ages).
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Our bishop has given priests instructions regarding the sacraments being given to Latin Rite parishioners. Under his instructions, the children of Latin Rite members of our parish are not impeded from receiving these sacraments in our parish, according to our Rite.
 
babochka said:
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Vico:
My priest told me, and also I verified it in the canon law, that the sacraments of Christian Initiation require particular permissions. Depending upon the sui iuris ascription, Chrismation (Confirmation) and First Communion are done differently (for example at different ages).
Click to expand...
Our bishop has given priests instructions regarding the sacraments being given to Latin Rite parishioners. Under his instructions, the children of Latin Rite members of our parish are not impeded from receiving these sacraments in our parish, according to our Rite.
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Sometimes bishops have arrangements between the jurisdictions to provide permissions. The norm is provided in CCEO to baptize infants ascribed to the Latin sui iuris without Chrismation or Holy Communion. CCEO 694 - 696.

CCEO (Chrismation with holy myron)
Canon 696 3. Any presbyter licitly administers this sacrament only to the Christian faithful of his own Church sui iuris; when it is a case of Christian faithful of other Churches sui iuris, he lawfully acts if they are his subjects, or those whom he lawfully baptizes in virtue of another title, or those who are in danger of death, and always with due regard for the agreements entered between the Churches sui iuris in this matter.
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JW55 said:
From the way I read one of the responses here, an LC attending a EC vespers will not fulfill their obligation but will do so for a Eastern Rite Catholic.
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Correct. Think of it this way: You visit your sister’s house. Some things are done the way you do them at home and others are what she does in her house. You like to stay up at night (like me 😆). Your sister has everyone in bed by 10 PM - no exceptions. She runs her house her way and you run your house your way but you’re still family.

Does that help?
 
I’d note that the purpose of this rule is both to protect the existence of the specific Eastern praxis (vespers at every parish being normative, but fading today), and to protect the existence eastern praxis generally for parishes/missions that don’t have a priest available for Divine Liturgy every weeks, so that they don’'t get absorbed by the wet and lose themselves.
 
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