EC Swiss Guards?

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John_of_Patmos

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Can a swiss guard be EC, not RC? Their website just says Catholic…

:knight1:
:knight2:
 
I would think that this position would require allegiance to the pontiff… but that is just my thought on it.
 
Bl. Pius IX-true.
HolyInnocent-ECs love the pope:highprayer: and are under his jurisdiction. Don’t confuse EC and EO!😃
 
I believe that the Swiss Guards must be of the Latin Rite. A reason for this could be because they are physically serving in Vatican City, or maybe because the Pope himself is of the Latin Rite and therefore they must be also.

The following link is from the Vatican website. It lists the admission requirements for the Swiss Guards:

vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/ammissione_en.htm
 
John_of_Patmos said:
Can a swiss guard be EC, not RC? Their website just says Catholic…

:knight1:
:knight2:
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Usually just Catholic implies “Roman Catholic”. I’ve learned the hard way. I told the RC archdiocese that their qualification for a catechist just says “Catholic” on the document. I was still denied being a catechist 😦
 
A_G said:
I believe that the Swiss Guards must be of the Latin Rite. A reason for this could be because they are physically serving in Vatican City, or maybe because the Pope himself is of the Latin Rite and therefore they must be also.

The following link is from the Vatican website. It lists the admission requirements for the Swiss Guards:

vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/ammissione_en.htm
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There is a presence of Ukrainian Catholics in the Vatican to this day. The UGCC was run from the Vatican during the time the Church was underground in Ukraine.
 
A_G said:
I believe that the Swiss Guards must be of the Latin Rite. A reason for this could be because they are physically serving in Vatican City, or maybe because the Pope himself is of the Latin Rite and therefore they must be also.

The following link is from the Vatican website. It lists the admission requirements for the Swiss Guards:

vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/ammissione_en.htm
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As far as I am aware, the Holy See rarely uses the term ‘Roman Catholic’, but when they do, they use it to refer to anyone in communion with the Church of Rome. 🙂
ConstantineTG said:
Usually just Catholic implies “Roman Catholic”. I’ve learned the hard way. I told the RC archdiocese that their qualification for a catechist just says “Catholic” on the document. I was still denied being a catechist 😦
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I feel your pain. However, I don’t think the prejudices of certain diocesan staff should be taken as a reflection of the position of the Holy See, especially when the definition of certain terms like ‘Roman Catholic’ are as clear as mud. Personally I strictly use it to refer to those in the Church of Rome, and ‘Catholic’ for everyone in communion, so you can tell that there is variation in our personal interpretations. And also, plenty of Roman Catholics (my definition) are ignorant about the existence of Eastern Catholics, which is a tragedy unto itself. 😦

In any case, do remember that the Swiss Guard is a secular institution, not a strictly ecclesiastical one. The intention of this requirement is to ensure loyalty and fidelity to the Pope when they are called upon to defend him with life and limb, which I am sure Eastern Catholics are just as able to do. I should see no impediment to an Eastern Catholic becoming a Swiss Guard, so long as you can find a willing Swiss Eastern Catholic, of course. 👍
 
Filii_Dei said:
I feel your pain. However, I don’t think the prejudices of certain diocesan staff should be taken as a reflection of the position of the Holy See, especially when the definition of certain terms like ‘Roman Catholic’ are as clear as mud.
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To this day, use of the term remains an issue. I recently attended a family wedding in a Roman Catholic church (my mother’s side are all faithful RCs). My siblings went to parochial school there, and our family is well known in the parish (both sides). The long-tenured senior pastor of this parish is fully aware that we are Eastern Catholic and has always properly allowed us to receive Holy Communion.

Yet, at the wedding Mass, he made a big speech about how only Roman Catholics (with strongly pronounced vocal emphasis on the word “Roman”) could receive Holy Communion. Our side of the family nonetheless received the Blessed Sacrament, but with some discomfort following this announcement. At the reception, my brother asked the priest why he had made this announcement as he had, as opposed to simply saying “all Catholics”. He replied simply “Well, you are Roman Catholic too!”.
Filii_Dei said:
In any case, do remember that the Swiss Guard is a secular institution, not a strictly ecclesiastical one. The intention of this requirement is to ensure loyalty and fidelity to the Pope when they are called upon to defend him with life and limb, which I am sure Eastern Catholics are just as able to do. I should see no impediment to an Eastern Catholic becoming a Swiss Guard, so long as you can find a willing Swiss Eastern Catholic, of course.
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Perhaps, but first try finding an Swiss Eastern Catholic (and one who meets all the other requirements, as well)! 🙂
 
ByzCathCantor said:
To this day, use of the term remains an issue. I recently attended a family wedding in a Roman Catholic church (my mother’s side are all faithful RCs). My siblings went to parochial school there, and our family is well known in the parish (both sides). The long-tenured senior pastor of this parish is fully aware that we are Eastern Catholic and has always properly allowed us to receive Holy Communion.

Yet, at the wedding Mass, he made a big speech about how only Roman Catholics (with strongly pronounced vocal emphasis on the word “Roman”) could receive Holy Communion. Our side of the family nonetheless received the Blessed Sacrament, but with some discomfort following this announcement. At the reception, my brother asked the priest why he had made this announcement as he had, as opposed to simply saying “all Catholics”. He replied simply “Well, you are Roman Catholic too!”.
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ByzCathCantor said:
To this day, use of the term remains an issue. I recently attended a family wedding in a Roman Catholic church (my mother’s side are all faithful RCs). My siblings went to parochial school there, and our family is well known in the parish (both sides). The long-tenured senior pastor of this parish is fully aware that we are Eastern Catholic and has always properly allowed us to receive Holy Communion.

Yet, at the wedding Mass, he made a big speech about how only Roman Catholics (with strongly pronounced vocal emphasis on the word “Roman”) could receive Holy Communion. Our side of the family nonetheless received the Blessed Sacrament, but with some discomfort following this announcement. At the reception, my brother asked the priest why he had made this announcement as he had, as opposed to simply saying “all Catholics”. He replied simply “Well, you are Roman Catholic too!”.
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THis is just to stop non catholic relatives or friends from going to recieve Our Lord…as an altar server at my RC parish, I’ve people chewing gum and all sorts of things at Wedding Masses…He just meant it as a precaution, but I understand your point. Maybe there were some Anglocatholics in the crowd!
 
John_of_Patmos said:
THis is just to stop non catholic relatives or friends from going to recieve Our Lord…as an altar server at my RC parish, I’ve people chewing gum and all sorts of things at Wedding Masses…He just meant it as a precaution, but I understand your point. Maybe there were some Anglocatholics in the crowd!
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Yes, of course, but it was the rather pronounced emphasis on the word ROMAN that seemed particularly odd and uninviting. Even our RC family members found it odd.

In our [Byzantine] church, our priest simply says that all praticing Catholics who are properly disposed may receive the Holy Eucharist.
 
ByzCathCantor said:
Yes, of course, but it was the rather pronounced emphasis on the word ROMAN that seemed particularly odd and uninviting. Even our RC family members found it odd.

In our [Byzantine] church, our priest simply says that all praticing Catholics who are properly disposed may receive the Holy Eucharist.
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odd indeed.:confused:
I’ve never had a priest announce that certain people cannot Recieve. I wish he would though, especially at Christmas and Easter, emphasis on STATE OF GRACE.
 
Filii_Dei said:
I should see no impediment to an Eastern Catholic becoming a Swiss Guard, so long as you can find a willing Swiss Eastern Catholic, of course. 👍
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There’s also the small matter of the required term of service in the Swiss army. .

hawk
 
Here is the oath taken by the Swiss Guards. Would an Eastern Catholic have any difficulty giving this oath
"I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them. I assume this same commitment with regard to the Sacred College of Cardinals whenever the See is vacant.
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Furthermore I promise to the Commanding Captain and my other superiors, respect, fidelity and obedience. This I swear! May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!"
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ByzCathCantor said:
Yes, of course, but it was the rather pronounced emphasis on the word ROMAN that seemed particularly odd and uninviting. Even our RC family members found it odd.

In our [Byzantine] church, our priest simply says that all praticing Catholics who are properly disposed may receive the Holy Eucharist.
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I have heard a priest stress the word “Roman” in such an announcement. But it was because he was aware that some of the family members present attended a church that called itself ‘Catholic’, but was not in communion with Rome ( a ‘we ordain women’ organization)

I know it was not an attempt to restrict Holy Communion from Catholics in Communion with Rome, but an exclusion of those who were not.
 
Brendan said:
I have heard a priest stress the word “Roman” in such an announcement. But it was because he was aware that some of the family members present attended a church that called itself ‘Catholic’, but was not in communion with Rome ( a ‘we ordain women’ organization)

I know it was not an attempt to restrict Holy Communion from Catholics in Communion with Rome, but an exclusion of those who were not.
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Perhaps, but this was a family wedding in which at least 95% of the people present were known to be truly Catholic by that very priest.
 
They must be Swiss citizens. How many EC Swiss are there?

But I suppose that yes, we are in Communion and technically they should be able to be of the Eastern Rite. We don’t have any specific sources that say it but it should technically be allowed. But then again, they must live in the Vatican during their service and most worship is done by the Latin Rite (I’m sure they are required to attend Mass)…but then again, you can be of the Eastern Rite and still attend the Western Rite Mass…

It comes down to technically YES, but has it happened yet…🤷

Can an Eastern Rite become Pope? Technically YES, but will it happen…🤷
 
A_G said:
They must be Swiss citizens. How many EC Swiss are there?
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Trust me, we all wonder too. :rotfl:
A_G said:
But I suppose that yes, we are in Communion and technically they should be able to be of the Eastern Rite. We don’t have any specific sources that say it but it should technically be allowed.
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That’s pretty much it. We see no reasonable impediment for any individual to restrict an Eastern Catholic from becoming a Swiss Guard, neither is there a culture of discrimination against Eastern Catholics like that of race or nationality. 😉

I do not mean to say that there is no prejudice against Eastern Catholics at all, but it is mostly accidental and borne out of ignorance of the existence of the Eastern Catholic Churches rather than a deliberate attempt to snuff them out.
A_G said:
But then again, they must live in the Vatican during their service and most worship is done by the Latin Rite (I’m sure they are required to attend Mass)…but then again, you can be of the Eastern Rite and still attend the Western Rite Mass…
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Believe it or not, there are Divine Liturgies celebrated in Rome which Eastern Catholics may attend. In any case, like you say, there is no issue with a Catholic of one rite attending a Mass/Divine Liturgy/Qurbono of another, so long as they understand the proceedings of that rite. 👍
A_G said:
It comes down to technically YES, but has it happened yet…🤷
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I think that’s more a result of the observation in your first statement than a problem with any of the other issues you posited. I think a more pertinent question would be: “if we find a Swiss Eastern Catholic who fits the requirements and is of the right calibre and attitude, would he be allowed to become a Swiss Guard?” 😃
A_G said:
Can an Eastern Rite become Pope? Technically YES, but will it happen…🤷
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I actually believe that it more likely that we have an Eastern Catholic elected as Pope, than for us to find an eligible Eastern Catholic Swiss who wishes to become a Swiss Guard. Remember, there are several Eastern Catholic cardinals, and all are practically eligible (although in theory any baptised male Catholic is). It really depends on what the College of Electors, guided by the Holy Spirit, will consider when electing the next leader. But I digress… 😛
 
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