Chrismation Question

[Little_Boy_Lost]

I have a friend who is being chrismated at an OCA parish. Several of my Roman Catholic friends have spoken out against me attending the service. I just wanted to make sure that my attendance is fine and not in anyway bad. Thanks for your help!

 

[malphono]

What could possibly be wrong with attending a valid DL?

 

[MrPip]

I have a friend who is being chrismated at an OCA parish. Several of my Roman Catholic friends have spoken out against me attending the service. I just wanted to make sure that my attendance is fine and not in anyway bad. Thanks for your help!

There is certainly nothing at all “bad” about attending the Divine Liturgy where your friend is being chrismated. As a Catholic, however, you will not be allowed by the Orthodox to receive Holy Communion, which I find very sad, indeed.

 

[malphono]

As a Catholic, however, you will not be allowed by the Orthodox to receive Holy Communion

Not necessarily. Whatever the rhetoric, ultimately it’s at the discretion of the priest. Though they may be somewhat rare, ad-hoc exceptions are sometimes made, particularly when the person is either “sponsored” by an Orthodox parishioner or is known personally to the priest.

 

[smad0142]

So long as the person is not leaving the CC for the OC, I would see no problem in it.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

So long as the person is not leaving the CC for the OC, I would see no problem in it.

I understand completely about the not receiving communion. It’s about respect, why deceive? Even if I was invited to… it would be disrespectful in my heart.

This person is leaving the Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church.

 

[MrPip]

So long as the person is not leaving the CC for the OC, I would see no problem in it.

I certainly see no problem with it at all! There is, after all, just ONE Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, is there not?

I only said that about not being allowed to receive communion because that’s pretty much the “official line”, and some experience I’ve had. Exceptions, of course, are made. Perhaps discuss it beforehand, if possible, with the OCA priest. He may just be amenable.

In Christ,
J

 

[MrPip]

I understand completely about the not receiving communion. It’s about respect, why deceive? Even if I was invited to… it would be disrespectful in my heart.

This person is leaving the Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church.

If you approach the priest beforehand, how is that deceitful?

And, you are not leaving the CC for the OC, are you? And, as I keep saying, there is only ONE Church. (A lot of people don’t like hearing that, for some reason )

 

[joanofarc2008]

You need to discuss this with YOUR priest and get the correct feedback because there are too many variables to give an answer online - or message ByzCath - he could probably give you a pretty good answer or atleast tell you he doesn’t know if he doesn’t know.

 

[smad0142]

If the person is leaving the CC for the OC, as you stated LBL, then I would not think it approriate for you to attend. That would appear to be giving your approval of an act of schism, since that person is leaving the Catholic Church for another Church, because the Orthodox do not yet have full and perfect union with Rome.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

K.

But how does that relate to my original question?

 

[smad0142]

Your original question was if attendance at such an event was fine, and my opnion is no. Unless I missed the original question.

 

[MrPip]

Your original question was if attendance at such an event was fine, and my opnion is no. Unless I missed the original question.

What is your objection? Or have I missed it somewhere else in the thread?

 

[joanofarc2008]

What is your objection? Or have I missed it somewhere else in the thread?

His objection is that since your friend is leaving the Catholic Church and you are going to the Chrism mass that you are supporting a schismatic action.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

So from those of you who said I could attend, why can I attend a chrismation for a friend who is “leaving the catholic church”?

 

[malphono]

So from those of you who said I could attend, why can I attend a chrismation for a friend who is “leaving the catholic church”?

The person involved is a friend, and presumably you were invited to attend. Which means the other person would like you to be there. It requires nothing on your part other than your presence. Why could you not attend?

 

[Hesychios]

So from those of you who said I could attend, why can I attend a chrismation for a friend who is “leaving the catholic church”?

What would you rather do?

If you go, you can observe. You will have first hand knowledge, you can ask a lot of questions.

Think of it as a research project.

Besides, this is your friend.

Anyway, it’s not like it’s you being Chrismated, and you can not change the outcome by your own actions, at least not at this moment. Leave an avenue open for discussion with this friend.

If you try not to seem judgmental it will be good for both of you.

Anyway, we are all hopeful of a general reconciliation between our churches one day, and this kind of traffic happens a lot… both ways.

When my grandchildren are baptized into the Roman Catholic church I attend the occasion with joy. If we should become spoilers, we only harden attitudes and that will probably obscure and detract from the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

K. Thanks. I was going to go in the first place, but I got beef from my Roman friends
Just had to check with you alls.

 

[joanofarc2008]

K. Thanks. I was going to go in the first place, but I got beef from my Roman friends
Just had to check with you alls.

I still think you should talk to a priest about this - more on the subject of him leaving the Church - for instance I would put this on the same level as a friend without an anullment who is divorced getting remarried civilly in a courthouse. Does your attendance give your permission and support?

 

[MrPip]

I still think you should talk to a priest about this - more on the subject of him leaving the Church - for instance I would put this on the same level as a friend without an anullment who is divorced getting remarried civilly in a courthouse. Does your attendance give your permission and support?

How 'bout it just being about a friend being a friend? His presence there shows his friendship, whether he agrees with the decision or not. Only the two of them know what has or hasn’t been said amongst them about it. I very seriously doubt his soul is in any danger from attending his friend’s chrismation service. I mean, really!