If a Priest is present at Mass, does he have to concelebrate?

[Andreas_Hofer]

in this case I do not believe he may participate in the words of consecration. rules may differ in abbey churches for religious orders, but this was rather carefully explained to us when we went into church architecture, why there cannot be side altars used for the holy sacrifice etc. A priest who is acting as MC may of course be in choir dress but in that case he is not concelebrating. What cannot happen, which I see all the time, is a priest in street clothes, sitting in the pews, reciting audibly the priest’s prayers including the consecration.

That’s correct. If the priest were reciting the parts of the priest, and most specifically the consecration, he would be concelebrating, not assisting in choir. Being in choir is precisely a way of being present at a liturgy as a cleric (thus maintaining the distinction from the laity) without exercising one’s function/office. Bishops can also celebrate in choir if they choose to have a priest celebrate the Mass (bishops don’t act as concelebrants for priests).

 

[Brendan]

Bishops can also celebrate in choir if they choose to have a priest celebrate the Mass (bishops don’t act as concelebrants for priests).

One distinction, if a bishop is present, the bishop must officiate the Mass, which means that the bishop gives the opening and final blessing.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

One distinction, if a bishop is present, the bishop must officiate the Mass, which means that the bishop gives the opening and final blessing.

Thanks for the qualification. I had forgotten that detail.

 

[Orionthehunter]

One distinction, if a bishop is present, the bishop must officiate the Mass, which means that the bishop gives the opening and final blessing.

If we are getting into distinctions, is this correct if the Bishop is outside his diocese?

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

If we are getting into distinctions, is this correct if the Bishop is outside his diocese?

I believe so. At a recent wedding (I’m a wedding sacristan) the bishop of Fargo presided in choir within the Diocese of Ft. Wayne-South Bend. I gave him a mic so he could do the parts required of him (not that a mic is absolutely necessary, but we need to wire celebrants when there are video crews).