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shaka_maka
Guest
Our priest is now using non- catholic altar servers. Can this be done? If not, I need documentation. Thanks.
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snhs
Guest
I think its a requirement for Altar Servers to have made their First Holy Communion so non-Catholics would be excluded. I’ve done a quick search and came up with this. It appears to say that it is lay people who can be Altar Servers and in this context I think that means those who are in the Church but have not taken Holy Orders. (It also references the CDWDS document on allowing female servers).
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sphilomena
Guest
You must be kidding!! Maybe one of us can find something on the EWTN website. I find it hard to believe that it’s permissible.Our priest is now using non- catholic altar servers. Can this be done? If not, I need documentation. Thanks.
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Aramis
Guest
The GIRM refers to altar servers as lay ministers (GIRM in the US, p32), which means they must be members of the faith per canon law, which defines lay ministers (but does not specifically mention altar servers).
So they must be baptised and professed, but not of need chrismated nor communed, and competent to perform their tasks.
So they must be baptised and professed, but not of need chrismated nor communed, and competent to perform their tasks.
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Tedster
Guest
Actually, there is no official requirement, if they are not Acolytes.
FROM THE GIRM (2002):
- The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. In particular, it is his responsibility to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if it is necessary, as an extraordinary minister, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful.
Being an Instituted Acolyte is different but very few parishes have these, most are children servers.
- In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and they may also be deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.
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Tedster
Guest
You may be right, and I wrong. Can you tell me which canon it is?The GIRM refers to altar servers as lay ministers (GIRM in the US, p32), which means they must be members of the faith per canon law, which defines lay ministers (but does not specifically mention altar servers).
So they must be baptised and professed, but not of need chrismated nor communed, and competent to perform their tasks.
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Aramis
Guest
Canons 204-207 define the Faithful.You may be right, and I wrong. Can you tell me which canon it is?
CIC 1983 (Emphasis Mine):
BOOK II.
THE PEOPLE OF GOD LIBER II. DE POPULO DEI
PART I.
THE CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL (Cann. 204 - 207)
Can. 204 §1.** The Christian faithful are those who, inasmuch as they have been incorporated in Christ through baptism, have been constituted as the people of God. **For this reason, made sharers in their own way in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and royal function, they are called to exercise the mission which God has entrusted to the Church to fulfill in the world, in accord with the condition proper to each.
[Edited by Moderator]
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__PT.HTM
[Edited by Moderator]
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BayernAnhaenger
Guest
That’s quite a stupid idea he has.
“Hey, Mexicans, want to be in the US Military? Maybe work as employees of the US Government?”
“Hey, Mexicans, want to be in the US Military? Maybe work as employees of the US Government?”
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Tedster
Guest
Thank you. So a server must be baptized, but that’s it. Is that correct? Then they would not necessarily have to be Catholic, only Christian. Or am I reading this wrong?
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mdgspencer
Guest
I wonder if they receive communion, which itself would be in violation of Church law?
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Phemie
Guest
I’ve been in several parishes where several of the altar servers didn’t receive mainly because they were too young to have made their First Communion.I wonder if they receive communion, which itself would be in violation of Church law?
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jmcrae
Guest
No. Non-Catholics are allowed to visit at Mass, but they aren’t allowed to take any sort of a leadership role either within or outside of Mass.Our priest is now using non- catholic altar servers. Can this be done? If not, I need documentation. Thanks.
I will try to find documentation for you later on; I have to go to work right now. (Sorry!)
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Um… it speeds up the immigration process.That’s quite a stupid idea he has.
“Hey, Mexicans, want to be in the US Military? Maybe work as employees of the US Government?”
K
Kielbasi
Guest
Apparently it can be done, as it is being done, but is apparently against the rules and even if it wasn’t against the rules, what possible profit could come from the practice?Our priest is now using non- catholic altar servers. Can this be done? If not, I need documentation. Thanks.
What reason for this innovation does the priest offer?
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Paten
Guest
What a crude thing to say. The fact is non- US citizens CAN and DO join the US Military including Mexicans.That’s quite a stupid idea he has.
“Hey, Mexicans, want to be in the US Military? Maybe work as employees of the US Government?”
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Paten
Guest
Indeed it does…Um… it speeds up the immigration process.
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John_Lilburne
Guest
The 1993 Directory on Ecumenism has:
“133. The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.”
I cannot find anything in it as specific on altar servers. So, from the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [footnote 89: Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”
So I suppose it depends on the interpretation of “suitable lay persons” and any “norms established by the Bishop”.
“133. The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.”
I cannot find anything in it as specific on altar servers. So, from the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [footnote 89: Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”
So I suppose it depends on the interpretation of “suitable lay persons” and any “norms established by the Bishop”.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Altar servers are considered Lay Ministers. NON-Catholics should never be routinely used in this capacity, except possibly as readers for funerals, and weddings.Our priest is now using non- catholic altar servers. Can this be done? If not, I need documentation. Thanks.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
When it uses the term lay persons it is always referring to Baptized Christians fully in union with the Catholic Church. There has been discussion of if a lay person who has divorced and re-married can become an EMHC. The answer is that a person should not be commissioned into a Lay Ministry role that might bring scandal or confusion.Thank you. So a server must be baptized, but that’s it. Is that correct? Then they would not necessarily have to be Catholic, only Christian. Or am I reading this wrong?
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Aramis
Guest
an unbaptised chatechumen could also serve, if knowledgable enough…Thank you. So a server must be baptized, but that’s it. Is that correct? Then they would not necessarily have to be Catholic, only Christian. Or am I reading this wrong?
But note the mention of united to the church in baptism OR the chatecumenate…
In either case, they would not receive unless they are orthodox, PNCC, Old Catholic, or one of the other “allowed” groups, and under instruction.
It should be bloody rare.
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