S
Sir_Knight
Guest
Can someone from the Byzantine Rite (Ukrainian Catholic Church) distribute communion as an EMHC in a Roman Catholic Church (Latin Rite)?
I don’t think there’s a restriction by Rite in Canon Law nor other documents…Can someone from the Byzantine Rite (Ukrainian Catholic Church) distribute communion as an EMHC in a Roman Catholic Church (Latin Rite)?
EMHC are supposed to only serve in the diocese they have been commissioned to serve in.I don’t think there’s a restriction by Rite in Canon Law nor other documents…
Is this a law governing liturgical ministries, or is it a law governing the Ruthenian faithful? It seems more likely that it is the former, and thus would only apply to Ruthenian liturgical ministries. If it is the latter, it’s conceivable that a non-Ruthenian woman could serve in that role - as I said, the former seems more likely.Note that, Ruthenian particular law forbids women from any liturgical ministries involving the Altar… including EMHC. If she’s a Ruthenian, she should not be serving, even in a Roman diocese, as Particular Law for her home church sui iuris is still binding upon her no matter where she goes
Ruthenian Particular Law said:§8. Women are prohibited from serving at the altar.
Thanks for digging that up. At face value, it seems to say what you stated earlier. Even so, considering its location in a canon regulating the liturgy, it might be reasonable to infer that it is not intended to regulate the activities of Ruthenian faithful outside of Ruthenian Divine Liturgy. However, absent the opinion of a canon lawyer on that point, or a dispensation, I don’t think it would be appropriate for a Ruthenian woman to take the action described in the OP.byzcath.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=334
This is the Metropolitan Church’s addition to CCEO canon 707, which is in Title 16 - *Divine Worship and Especially the Sacraments.
*
Sicne the normative definition of “at the altar” in byzantine use is generally “behind the iconostas”…
I’d agree, and it is in the Metropolitan particular law.I cannot speak for the other Byzantine eparchies but the Statutes of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma (Ruthenian) prohibits any members of the laity who assume ministerial responsibilities from using the title “minister” in conjunction with their duties. By statute, this title is specifically reserved for members of the ordained clergy.
I would assume that this statute would apply to the use of the title “Extraordinary **Minister **of Holy Communion.”