How does a Roman become Eastern Catholic?

[Michael_M]

I’m a Roman Catholic, but I feel I may want to change rites. The liturgy of St. John Chrysostom speaks to me, and I have a richer spiritual experience, and feel more at home in orthodox Christianity. But, I would not ever consider entering into schism with Rome, so the only logical thing to do is to become an eastern Catholic.

I have read that transferring rites is as simple as writing a letter to the bishop of your diocese, and the bishop of the local Byzantine eparchy. The two of them will then basically make it happen for you. However, a friend told me that a Roman can only transfer rites if s/he is marrying into a family of the other rite.

Which is it?

 

[Lester_S]

I’m a Roman Catholic, but I feel I may want to change rites. The liturgy of St. John Chrysostom speaks to me, and I have a richer spiritual experience, and feel more at home in orthodox Christianity. But, I would not ever consider entering into schism with Rome, so the only logical thing to do is to become an eastern Catholic.

I have read that transferring rites is as simple as writing a letter to the bishop of your diocese, and the bishop of the local Byzantine eparchy. The two of them will then basically make it happen for you. However, a friend told me that a Roman can only transfer rites if s/he is marrying into a family of the other rite.

Which is it?

There have been testimonies of success, and failure, when it comes to making an official switch of ritual church.

There have been numerous threads, too, of how to properly go through it.

However, this said, especially in anticipation of, “use the search function type of responses,” just keep going. More importantly, if it’s a typically smaller Eastern Church, participate within the parish. Also, be “present” during liturgy. People will catch notice if they see you attend consistently. I know I got the joke, “You’re becoming a regular.” More importantly, if they feel good about your energy, then there’s a chance you may be approached to help parish in some way shape or form.

Again, this assumes you’ve been attending the parish, only recently.

But, if you’ve been going consistently for nearly two, three, years, then yes, the petition to the bishops should be good to go, provided your parish priest can vouch for such consistency in attendance, and energy.

The only thing about canonical transfers is you can only do them once in your life.

 

[5Loaves]

I’m a Roman Catholic, but I feel I may want to change rites. The liturgy of St. John Chrysostom speaks to me, and I have a richer spiritual experience, and feel more at home in orthodox Christianity. But, I would not ever consider entering into schism with Rome, so the only logical thing to do is to become an eastern Catholic.

I have read that transferring rites is as simple as writing a letter to the bishop of your diocese, and the bishop of the local Byzantine eparchy. The two of them will then basically make it happen for you.

It normally requires permission of both your Latin Church Bishop and the EC Bishop. You should talk with your EC priest about it.

However, a friend told me that a Roman can only transfer rites if s/he is marrying into a family of the other rite.

Which is it?

A spouse making the change does so without needing permission from a bishop. And if the marriage ends by death or divorce can revert to their prior canonical status, or continue canonically enrolled in the Church of the spouse. Your EC priest ought to be familiar with this as well.

Canon 112—1. After the reception of baptism, the following are enrolled in another Ritual Church sui iuris:

(2) a spouse who declares at the time of marriage or during marriage that he or she is transferring to the Ritual Church sui iuris of the other spouse; but when the marriage has ended, that person can freely return to the Latin Church;

 

[Michael_M]

There have been testimonies of success, and failure, when it comes to making an official switch of ritual church.

There have been numerous threads, too, of how to properly go through it.

However, this said, especially in anticipation of, “use the search function type of responses,” just keep going. More importantly, if it’s a typically smaller Eastern Church, participate within the parish. Also, be “present” during liturgy. People will catch notice if they see you attend consistently. I know I got the joke, “You’re becoming a regular.” More importantly, if they feel good about your energy, then there’s a chance you may be approached to help parish in some way shape or form.

Again, this assumes you’ve been attending the parish, only recently.

But, if you’ve been going consistently for nearly two, three, years, then yes, the petition to the bishops should be good to go, provided your parish priest can vouch for such consistency in attendance, and energy.

The only thing about canonical transfers is you can only do them once in your life.

Thank you. So if I transfered between ritual churches into the Ukrainian Catholic Church, would that mean that I am specifically Ukrainian Catholic, or Eastern Rite Catholic more generally? I am interested in belonging to the Byzantine Rite generally, not a particular ethnic church therein.

 

[Lester_S]

Thank you. So if I transfered between ritual churches into the Ukrainian Catholic Church, would that mean that I am specifically Ukrainian Catholic, or Eastern Rite Catholic more generally? I am interested in belonging to the Byzantine Rite generally, not a particular ethnic church therein.

I’m not sure how it’d work amid jurisdictional lines. From what I understand, the Holy Resurrection Monastery monks were once part of the Ruthenian jurisdiction, but switched to Romanian, later. Someone else more qualified, may help fill in the blanks, for us all. Many advanced thanks!

 

[aemcpa]

Thank you. So if I transfered between ritual churches into the Ukrainian Catholic Church, would that mean that I am specifically Ukrainian Catholic, or Eastern Rite Catholic more generally? I am interested in belonging to the Byzantine Rite generally, not a particular ethnic church therein.

You don’t belong to a Rite. A Rite is a book. You belong to a sui iuris Church.

 

[Angel_Gabriel]

Thank you. So if I transfered between ritual churches into the Ukrainian Catholic Church, would that mean that I am specifically Ukrainian Catholic, or Eastern Rite Catholic more generally? I am interested in belonging to the Byzantine Rite generally, not a particular ethnic church therein.

you would be considered Ukrainian Catholic.

My family and I are in the process of transferring as well. Good luck

 

[Michael_M]

You don’t belong to a Rite. A Rite is a book. You belong to a sui iuris Church.

Thanks for clarifying that. So yes, I will become Ukrainian-Greek Catholic. But what happens if I relocate, and the only eastern church in my area is say, a Coptic church, or a Melkite church? I know I could attend and go to Holy Communion of course, but could I be under the jurisdiction of the bishop/archbishop of that eparchy? Or would I have to go through a similar process of transfer?

I will likely relocate several times in my life for work. Whenever I do, I want to be able to be under the care of my local bishop.

I apologize for asking such tedious, technical questions, haha.

 

[SyroMalankara]

You can attend, commune, participate and be a full practicing member of any Catholic Church without transferring. The only reasons to transfer are ordination in that Church, marriage in that church, love of that Church and it’s rituals/practices/theology - and wanting to grow there, even with your family (kids baptism,etc) etc.

You will not be able to transfer again - consider it a one time decision. Many eparchies require at least one year of you remaining in the jurisdiction before they accept your request - some longer.

The Canons do not allow another transfer, except for a woman marrying into her husband’s Church, or by exception and the Holy See’s intervention for priestly ordination or some other urgent need.

To be under the care of the local bishop, simply tell the local priest/bishop your unique case - they will be able to ask your “legal” bishop to allow you under their care. No need for a transfer.

 

[Seraphion]

I’m a Roman Catholic, but I feel I may want to change rites. The liturgy of St. John Chrysostom speaks to me, and I have a richer spiritual experience, and feel more at home in orthodox Christianity. But, I would not ever consider entering into schism with Rome, so the only logical thing to do is to become an eastern Catholic.

I have read that transferring rites is as simple as writing a letter to the bishop of your diocese, and the bishop of the local Byzantine eparchy. The two of them will then basically make it happen for you. However, a friend told me that a Roman can only transfer rites if s/he is marrying into a family of the other rite.

Which is it?

Hello…
Greetings from Indonesia.

Well, i think, for you guys who live in the US where there have been juridical hierarchy of both Rites (Eastern and Latin), it might be easier for you. Based on my friend’s experience, he is an Indonesian who stayed for some years in US, previously he belonged to Latin Church, and then he attended a Melkite Catholic parish for sometime. He submitted his petition letters to the Melkite Catholic eparch (bishop) and to the Latin Catholic bishop, via the Mekite parish priest. It took some time (months), but after chasing and chasing, the petitioned was granted. He is now canonically a Melkite Catholic.

And for my case. Since i live in Indonesia where no Eastern Catholic hierarchy yet, it become harder for me. But well, if God wills it, it will happen according to His time. I send my petition letters (because i really do not know to whom i should send) to all people as i could think of. Just name it, and i have send the letter to that person : Melkite eparch in Australia; Melkite patriarch in Damascus; the papal congregation for Eastern Catholic Churches; the apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia; the Latin Catholic archbishop in Jakarta; etc. And last February just 1 day after the late Pope just resigned, i was called by the Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia to meet him regarding the petition. And i have an interview regarding my petition and my motive. And again, now, I am waiting for the response from the Holy See. And i always pray everyday, in all my prayers, that God will speed.

Pray for me and all Indonsians who wish to join the Eastern Catholic.

With prayers…

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