Just to clarify something

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Monica4316

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Hi,

I’m sure this topic was covered before but there’s something in particular I’m still not really sure about…

I’m an Eastern Catholic, so I tried to follow the Eastern fasts and everything. However, I attend a Roman Catholic parish on weekends. There’s no parish of my rite (Russian Catholic) anywhere near me at all. There’s a similar - Ukrainian Catholic - parish in my town, but it’s kind of far, - and I don’t drive, so I need a ride… it’s more convenient for my family to give me a ride to the Roman Catholic parish that’s close by. Also, I wouldn’t really understand the service in Ukrainian… my question is, am I sinning?? I know canonically, I’m supposed to attend an Eastern parish… but is it a sin if I don’t? This is really complicating my spiritual life… especially because in practice, I’m quite ‘Roman’ as wel. But I can’t figure out if God would want me to transfer rites… I really need to pray about this, but if I should, - how would I even go about doing that? meanwhile, - am I committing sin by fulfilling my Sunday obligation in a Roman Catholic parish, even though I follow the Eastern fasts?

thanks
 
No your not sinning, your just being overly scrupulous which can be a sin since it will lead you to doubt in Gods mercy.
 
well I just need someone to explain to me, - if I’m doing something contrary to canon law, how is this not a sin? I just don’t really understand - and that keeps bringing me back to these thoughts…

If I had the opportunity to attend an Eastern parish but still chose Roman Catholic, on a given Sunday, - is* that *a sin?

I’m going to pray about potentially switching rites, - I love the East and I want to keep elements of Eastern spirituality in my life, and I always like going to Eastern parishes, - but being Eastern Catholic without a parish is too complicated for me. 😦 It might be simpler to just be Roman Catholic, - and just visit Eastern parishes when I’m able.
 
okay… why? 😛 lol sorry - I actually am scrupulous so this keeps on bothering me.
 
The_Fly said:
No your not sinning, your just being overly scrupulous which can be a sin since it will lead you to doubt in Gods mercy.
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Scrupulosity is not a sin. There is lack of will and intent. Thinking this way will make things worse for those with scruples. I understand what you are getting at though.It is not spiritually healthy. God doesn’t want us to be this way, and it may lead to bad places like despair. But temptation is not sin unless you give in to it.
 
Monica4316 said:
well I just need someone to explain to me, - if I’m doing something contrary to canon law, how is this not a sin? I just don’t really understand - and that keeps bringing me back to these thoughts…
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Where in Canon Law does it say an Eastern Catholic cannot go to a Latin Rite Mass under pain of Sin?
Monica4316 said:
If I had the opportunity to attend an Eastern parish but still chose Roman Catholic, on a given Sunday, - is* that *a sin?
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No
Monica4316 said:
I’m going to pray about potentially switching rites, - I love the East and I want to keep elements of Eastern spirituality in my life, and I always like going to Eastern parishes, - but being Eastern Catholic without a parish is too complicated for me. 😦 It might be simpler to just be Roman Catholic, - and just visit Eastern parishes when I’m able.
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See this sounds like your in the process of descerning which Rite you are called to so I dont understand why your being so hard on yourself especially when it’s not even a sin to switch Rites.
 
Kontrak said:
Scrupulosity is not a sin. There is lack of will and intent. Thinking this way will make things worse for those with scruples. But I agree that it is not spiritually healthy. God doesn’t want us to be this way, and it may lead to bad places like despair. I understand what you are getting at though.
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Thanks for the correction since I didnt want to make things worse. I’m gald you were able to understand what I was trying to get at though.
 
Kontrak said:
Scrupulosity is not a sin. There is lack of will and intent. Thinking this way will make things worse for those with scruples. I understand what you are getting at though.It is not spiritually healthy. God doesn’t want us to be this way, and it may lead to bad places like despair. But temptation is not sin unless you give in to it.
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I am being guided by my priest to overcome scrupulosity 🙂
The_Fly said:
Where in Canon Law does it say an Eastern Catholic cannot go to a Latin Rite Mass under pain of Sin?
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The Eastern Canon Law says that Eastern Catholics should practice their faith according to their ‘sui iuris’ church… which includes: fasts, feast days, etc… I was told before in this forum, and also by an Eastern Catholic priest, that “technically” I’m supposed to attend an Eastern parish on Sundays. However, I am wondering if not doing so is considered a sin… or does it depend on the reason? I don’t want to be disobedient… that is why I’m considering switching rites because this is too confusing for me. There is no Russian Catholic church near me. Under canon law, I should still attend an Eastern parish; another Eastern parish. But - it’s kind of far, I don’t fully understand the language, I need rides there and back, and in practice I am more ‘Roman’. So that is my dilemma here.
No
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See this sounds like your in the process of descerning which Rite you are called to so I dont understand why your being so hard on yourself especially when it’s not even a sin to switch Rites.
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No of course it’s not a sin to switch rites, but I’m supposed to practice my faith according to my rite, and I’m not sure how strict this guideline is.
 
Monica,
As I understand it, as an Eastern Catholic you are canonically bound to follow the fasts and calendar of your Church sui iuris, but are you free, as a Catholic, to assist at the eucharistic liturgy in any licit rite at any Catholic parish. It is ideal to fully live the spirituality of your own Church sui iuris, but I do not believe that there is any sin in attending liturgies at parishes of another Church sui iuris (in this case, the Latin Church). Someone can correct me if I’m wrong…
 
Monica4316 said:
I am being guided by my priest to overcome scrupulosity 🙂

The Eastern Canon Law says that Eastern Catholics should practice their faith according to their ‘sui iuris’ church… which includes: fasts, feast days, etc… I was told before in this forum, and also by an Eastern Catholic priest, that “technically” I’m supposed to attend an Eastern parish on Sundays. However, I am wondering if not doing so is considered a sin… or does it depend on the reason? I don’t want to be disobedient… that is why I’m considering switching rites because this is too confusing for me. There is no Russian Catholic church near me. Under canon law, I should still attend an Eastern parish; another Eastern parish. But - it’s kind of far, I don’t fully understand the language, I need rides there and back, and in practice I am more ‘Roman’. So that is my dilemma here.

No of course it’s not a sin to switch rites, but I’m supposed to practice my faith according to my rite, and I’m not sure how strict this guideline is.
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Good luck switching Rites…Rome or the bishops will rarely allow an Easterner to officially become Roman Rite…the other way around is much easier.
 
Monica4316, what Canon Law do you fear you are violating, in the CIC or CCEO?
 
twf said:
Monica,
As I understand it, as an Eastern Catholic you are canonically bound to follow the fasts and calendar of your Church sui iuris, but are you free, as a Catholic, to assist at the eucharistic liturgy in any licit rite at any Catholic parish. It is ideal to fully live the spirituality of your own Church sui iuris, but I do not believe that there is any sin in attending liturgies at parishes of another Church sui iuris (in this case, the Latin Church). Someone can correct me if I’m wrong…
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thanks for the reply… I understand with the fasts, and I do try to follow them. But what is meant by following the calendar?
ciero said:
Good luck switching Rites…Rome or the bishops will rarely allow an Easterner to officially become Roman Rite…the other way around is much easier.
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😦 does it depend on the reason? the problem is, I became Catholic with the intention of being Roman Catholic. i thought I was Roman Catholic for the first year and a half or so. I don’t have an Eastern parish, and my way of thinking is also very ‘Latin’. It’s really complicated for me trying to be Eastern Catholic in these circumstances, and only causes worry. 😦 I wish it wasn’t like that. I like the East, but I’m more Western. It’s like I’m canonically Russian Catholic, but in my mind & spirituality I am Roman Catholic.
 
ConstantineTG said:
Monica4316, what Canon Law do you fear you are violating, in the CIC or CCEO?
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Sorry I don’t know the acronyms, - but I fear violating the Eastern Canon Law. I think with the Roman Canon Law, I’m fine there.
 
does anyone know…how would one go about trying to transfer rites anyway? should i write to Rome? (my sui iuris church doesn’t have a bishop… my bishop is the local ordinary - Latin rite bishop)
 
Monica4316 said:
…, I’m supposed to attend an Eastern parish… but is it a sin if I don’t? This is really complicating my spiritual life… especially because in practice, I’m quite ‘Roman’ as wel. But I can’t figure out if God would want me to transfer rites… I really need to pray about this, but if I should, - how would I even go about doing that? meanwhile, - am I committing sin by fulfilling my Sunday obligation in a Roman Catholic parish, even though I follow the Eastern fasts?

thanks
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It’s ok to attend the other Catholic churches, no sin there.

CCEO Canon 403
  1. With due regard for the right and obligation to preserve everywhere their own rite, lay persons have the right to participate actively in the liturgical celebrations of any Church sui iuris whatsoever, according to the norms of the liturgical books.
  2. If the necessity of the Church and genuine advantage so recommend, and when sacred ministers are lacking, certain functions of the sacred ministers may be committed to lay persons, according to the norms of law.
You could contact the Bishop in care of your Church sui iuris and let him know the situation. It might be possible to get a group together there, or a mission, or have an easern liturgy at the Latin Church through a bi-ritual priest if no other is available.
 
Vico said:
It’s ok to attend the other Catholic churches, no sin there.

CCEO Canon 403
  1. With due regard for the right and obligation to preserve everywhere their own rite, lay persons have the right to participate actively in the liturgical celebrations of any Church sui iuris whatsoever, according to the norms of the liturgical books.
  2. If the necessity of the Church and genuine advantage so recommend, and when sacred ministers are lacking, certain functions of the sacred ministers may be committed to lay persons, according to the norms of law.
You could contact the Bishop in care of your Church sui iuris and let him know the situation. It might be possible to get a group together there, or a mission, or have an easern liturgy at the Latin Church through a bi-ritual priest if no other is available.
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thanks for the reply… my sui iuris church doesn’t have a bishop, - we’re under the local Latin bishop.
 
Monica4316 said:
Sorry I don’t know the acronyms, - but I fear violating the Eastern Canon Law. I think with the Roman Canon Law, I’m fine there.
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CIC is the Code of Canon Law which governs the Roman Catholic Church
CCEO is the Code of Canons for Eastern and Oriental Churches

Vico has already pointed out the CCEO canon which says that you can attend and sui juris Liturgy.
 
ConstantineTG said:
CIC is the Code of Canon Law which governs the Roman Catholic Church
CCEO is the Code of Canons for Eastern and Oriental Churches

Vico has already pointed out the CCEO canon which says that you can attend and sui juris Liturgy.
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okay, thank you 🙂

what is meant by ‘sui iuris’ here? is the Latin church a sui iuris church also? or is it saying that it should be an Eastern church? Sorry I get kind of lost with all these terms lol. Still learning 🙂
 
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