dispensation from irregularity

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kristie_m

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After I complained to my husband that I couldn’t understand the lector at Mass (he speaks with a VERY thick accent) my dear spouse went out and purchased a daily missal for me. What a swell guy, huh? 😃

Anyway, I was looking through it and under the heading of Reception of Sacraments by a Person in Danger of Death, there is something called the Dispensation from Irregularity. I’m gathering that it has something to do with reconciliation, but it’s not entirely clear. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks in advance.
 
The link below to the 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia indicates that an irrgeularity is “a canonical impediment directly impeding the reception of. . .Holy orders or preventing the exercise of orders already received.”

newadvent.org/cathen/08170a.htm

Perhaps the dispensation you are refering to allows a priest whose irregularity would otherwise prevent him from administering the sacraments to do so in danger of death?
 
Thomas63116 said:
The link below to the 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia indicates that an irrgeularity is “a canonical impediment directly impeding the reception of. . .Holy orders or preventing the exercise of orders already received.”

newadvent.org/cathen/08170a.htm

Perhaps the dispensation you are refering to allows a priest whose irregularity would otherwise prevent him from administering the sacraments to do so in danger of death?
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Thanks for the link, but I don’t think that’s what it’s referring to. Let me quote here:

"When, in accordance with the law, a priest dispenses a penitent from an irregularity, either during sacramental Confession, after absolution has been given, or outside the sacrament of Reconciliation, he says:

By the power granted to me, I dispense you from the irregularity which you have incurred. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The penitent answers: Amen"

Unless the penitent here is another priest? 🤷
 
Hmm. . .I don’t know then. My first thought was that perhaps the priest is dispensing from an irregular marriage or other such impediment that would normally impede reception of the sacraments?

But I really don’t know.

Anyone else?
 
Im pretty sure that this connects to receiving holy orders. There are things that can keep you from being able, some of which result in excommunication, some not. There are degrees (simple, etc.) newadvent has a lengthy write up and the cannon law is available online as well.
 
It refers to excommunication. When near or at the point of death a Priest may lift any excommunication (irregularity) that the penitent is under. Without the ability to do this, their is no point in an excommunicated person getting Anointing of the Sick, as I believe the Priest would not be able to absolve, give the Apostolic Pardon or final communion.

See the “In Danger Of Death” section here newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm
 
kristie_m said:
Thanks for the link, but I don’t think that’s what it’s referring to. Let me quote here:

"When, in accordance with the law, a priest dispenses a penitent from an irregularity, either during sacramental Confession, after absolution has been given, or outside the sacrament of Reconciliation, he says:

By the power granted to me, I dispense you from the irregularity which you have incurred. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The penitent answers: Amen"

Unless the penitent here is another priest? 🤷
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It is an impediment to the exercise of holy orders or to reception of holy orders.
CIC Can. 1040 Those bound by an impediment are to be barred from the reception of orders. An impediment may be simple; or it may be perpetual, in which case it is called an irregularity. No impediment is contracted which is not contained in the following canons.

Can. 1041 The following persons are irregular for the reception of orders:
1° one who suffers from any form of insanity, or from any other psychological infirmity, because of which he is, after experts have been consulted, judged incapable of being able to fulfil the ministry;
2° one who has committed the offence of apostasy, heresy or schism;
3° one who has attempted marriage, even a civil marriage, either while himself prevented from entering marriage whether by an existing marriage bond or by a sacred order or by a public and perpetual vow of chastity, or with a woman who is validly married or is obliged by the same vow;
4° one who has committed wilful homicide, or one who has actually procured an abortion, and all who have positively cooperated;
5° one who has gravely and maliciously mutilated himself or another, or who has attempted suicide;
6° one who has carried out an act of order which is reserved to those in the order of the episcopate or priesthood, while himself either not possessing that order or being barred from its exercise by some canonical penalty, declared or imposed.
…

Can. 1047 §1 If the fact on which they are based has been brought to the judicial forum, dispensation from all irregularities is reserved to the Apostolic See alone. §2 Dispensation from the following irregularities and impediments to the reception of orders is also reserved to the Apostolic See: 1° irregularities arising from the offences mentioned in can. 1041, nn. 2 and 3, if they are public;
2° an irregularity arising from the offence, whether public or occult, mentioned in can. 1041, n. 4;
3° the impediment mentioned in can. 1042, n. 1.
§3 To the Apostolic See is also reserved the dispensation from the irregularities for the exercise of an order received mentioned in can. 1041, n.3 but only in public cases, and in n. 4 of the same canon even in occult cases.
§4 The Ordinary can dispense from irregularities and impediments not reserved to the Holy See.

​
 
Vico said:
It is an impediment to the exercise of holy orders or to reception of holy orders.
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What would be the point of dispensing from that irregularity if the person is at the point of death?
 
kristie_m said:
After I complained to my husband that I couldn’t understand the lector at Mass (he speaks with a VERY thick accent) my dear spouse went out and purchased a daily missal for me. What a swell guy, huh? 😃

Anyway, I was looking through it and under the heading of Reception of Sacraments by a Person in Danger of Death, there is something called the Dispensation from Irregularity. I’m gathering that it has something to do with reconciliation, but it’s not entirely clear. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Hello,

I think it has to do with a priest or candidate for priesthood. I have never heard of the term “irregularity” being used in any other context.

Dan
 
Phemie said:
What would be the point of dispensing from that irregularity if the person is at the point of death?
Click to expand...
Hello,

The text in question spoke of “danger of death” so it would encompass a broader category of people than “point of death”, with a greater chance of surviving and resuming ministry or being ordained. Since it is a question of danger of death, perhaps the ordination would take place soon after, even if there is a relatively small chance of a long life of ministry.

That being said, I can’t imagine that this was a common occurrence and am surprised it would be included in a missal…

Dan
 
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