F
Fox
Guest
Why do I have to get permission from from the Latin Bishop to move over to an Eastern Rite if we are all Catholic and one Church? Is it legalism? thanks for your posts in advance.
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P
Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
You don’t have to get permission from your local Latin bishop to attend an Eastern parish. But if you want to actually become and Eastern Catholic (of whatever sui iuris Church) then you have to get permission because you are moving from one particular Church to another. I guess it’s partly for legalistic reasons. The Latin bishop would be recognizing that he is no longer your shepherd, whereas the bishop of whatever particular Church you are entering is welcoming you into his flock. 
Maybe it’d be better if someone else answered.
Maybe it’d be better if someone else answered.
F
Fox
Guest
If we are claiming to be one church, it shouldn’t make a difference.
P
Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
True, we are all one Church. But the one Church is made up of a communion of some 23+ particular, self-governing Churches. I suppose on a theological level there would be no need to request a transfer from your bishop. But on an administrative and pastoral level there is.
M
MrPip
Guest
I understand how you feel, to a certain extent. We are one church. And, apparently, it does make a difference. That’s just the way it is now. Maybe one day it’ll change.
You can attend any Eastern Rite church and even become a member of the parish without changing your canonical status. You have full and complete access to all the Sacraments, all liturgical services, everything. You can be Eastern Catholic in virtually everything but official name. It’s just you won’t canonically be Eastern Catholic. Does it matter that much?
In Christ,
Jeff
F
Fox
Guest
No I don’t want to be a married priest, it just seems that there is too much red tape in some of the procedures of the church.
C
countertenor
Guest
Wanting one’s children to receive all the sacraments of initiation as infants and being able to continue receiving communion prior to the age of reason, is another reason.
! Why is it important to you to change you canonical status when you really don’t have to, except to satisfy some legal requirement of the Church?
M
MrPip
Guest
Now, that’s a pretty good reason
. And, unless there is some burning spiritual issue at stake, about the only one I can think of. But, Fox hasn’t said anything about that—yet 
.In Christ,
Jeff
J
JJRfan
Guest
I believe another reason concerns marriage.
M
MrPip
Guest
Care to clarify?
F
Fox
Guest
I just feel like I’m more connected with the East than the West is all and want to be known as such.
S
Speedypizza
Guest
Please correct me if I am wrong here, but if I am attending a Catholic Orthodox Church would my child not be able to be baptized, confessed and communed like any other child in that Church?
M
MrPip
Guest
Some questions, if you don’t mind:
- What do you mean by “more connected with the East”?
- Are you already attending an Eastern Catholic parish?
- If not, why not?
- If so, have you discussed this with the priest?
- If not, why not?
- Known “as such” to whom?
- As a Western Catholic attending or being a member of an Eastern Catholic parish, you would eventually become known as part of the parish. Is it not enough to be known to others as just “Catholic”? That is, after all, what you are, whether Western or Eastern.
Jeff
M
MrPip
Guest
What is a “Catholic Orthodox Church”? Do you mean an Eastern Catholic Church? If so, I think there are sometimes issues if you are Western and you’re attending an Eastern Catholic Church and want your kids baptized, etc. there. I’m not sure of all the ins and outs of it–best to ask a priest or even your bishop.
In Christ,
Jeff
C
countertenor
Guest
If you mean an Eastern Catholic Church, then it really depends on the priest. In theory, if you are a Latin Catholic, even if your children are baptized in the Eastern parish, they are still supposed to wait to give the children first communion until they are allowed to do so in the Latin Church.
Now that isn’t what always happens, but technically that’s how it goes. Also, even if your child is baptized, confirmed and receives communion in an Eastern parish, and the priest allows this, things could change if you move back to a Latin parish. If your child is technically Latin, they may be denied communion until the attaint he age of reason, whereas if they are officially a member of an Eastern Catholic Church where infants and small children receive communion, the child should be allowed to continue receiving communion in a Latin church.
I am the Music Director at a Latin rite parish, and my two children are both below the age of reason and as such, they wouldn’t be allowed to receive communion there if it weren’t for the fact that they are canonically Byzantine Catholics.
S
Speedypizza
Guest
Thank you for clearing this up for me. I find this whole rite thing very confusing. Also please forgive my use of the wrong name, I am still trying to figure all this out. It really sounds to me like everybody should become a Byzantine Catholic, and that way they can make up their own mind about this issue. I just don’t see ANY benefits in becoming a Latin Rite Catholic.
S
SonCatcher
Guest
That is one of the most compelling reasons I can think of. My 6-year-old periodically expresses regret at being unable to receive the Eucharist.
C
countertenor
Guest
My two year old and four year old, would freak out if they weren’t able to receive the Eucharist (I’ve seen it happen when visiting a Latin parish in the past). I’ve seen it happen. Honestly I feel sad for all the children who don’t get to receive.
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