Roman Catholic/Ruthenian Catholic Marriage

[unlpiccolo]

I am wondering what the recommendation for practice is when a Roman Catholic marries a Byzantine Catholic. What does the Church say about choosing a rite to attend and raise the children in? My boyfriend is Ruthenian Catholic, and I grew up Roman Catholic. Should one be chosen? Is it possible to mix? If we chose to attend Divine Liturgy and raise our children in the Ruthenian rite, is there a way I can maintain some of my Roman identity/traditions? Thanks!

 

[bpbasilphx]

My understanding is that various Papal decrees say that in an inter-ritual marriage, it should take place in the rite of the Groom (unless there’s a dispensation) and all children should be baptized and raised in his sui juris church.

Should (in this case) any children of this marriage be baptized in the Latin rite of the bride, the children STILL belong to the Ruthenian Church and a note to this effect should be made in the baptismal register. They are also subject to the canonical norms of the Ruthenian church, and therefore should be confirmed at the same time and admitted to Communion henceforth.

 

[Aramis]

The Vatican II post-conciliar Documents specify that the children are to be raised in the eastern rite when a Latin and an Eastern marry.

The wedding is usually in the groom’s sui iuris church, but may be done in any. At that point, either may change their canonical enrollment to match the other’s (per canon law), to later change it back upon being widowed. the default is that the woman changes rite, but VII PCD makes it clear that the old practice of moving west is problematic.

I can’t give page numbers at the moment, as my DSP edition is packed.

 

[Fuerza]

The Vatican II post-conciliar Documents specify that the children are to be raised in the eastern rite when a Latin and an Eastern marry.

The wedding is usually in the groom’s sui iuris church, but may be done in any. At that point, either may change their canonical enrollment to match the other’s (per canon law), to later change it back upon being widowed. the default is that the woman changes rite, but VII PCD makes it clear that the old practice of moving west is problematic.

I can’t give page numbers at the moment, as my DSP edition is packed.

I had never heard that before. I thought the children were automaticall part of the father’s sui iuris church, whether Latin or Eastern/Oriental, unless the couple specifically requested that they be raised in the mother’s. I’m not doubting you, but it seems strange that the Church would automatically deprive the Latin (or Eastern for that matter) of the joy of passing on his/her heritage to the children.

 

[dixieagle]

I had never heard that before. I thought the children were automaticall part of the father’s sui iuris church, whether Latin or Eastern/Oriental, unless the couple specifically requested that they be raised in the mother’s. I’m not doubting you, but it seems strange that the Church would automatically deprive the Latin (or Eastern for that matter) of the joy of passing on his/her heritage to the children.

I am Roman Catholic, and my husband Ruthenian. When we married 34 years ago, the wedding took place in my parish, with both his priest and mine taking part (his actually officiated, while mine celebrated the Nuptial Mass.) We have lived far away from any Ruthenian churches, so we have always, of necessity, attended Roman Catholic parishes. However, our daughters, though baptized in our Roman Catholic parish in order to have them baptized in a timely fashion, were both chrismated as infants, which really confused things when they hit 8th grade and confirmation age in their Catholic school/parish!

It had always been my understanding that the husband’s sui iuris church took precedence with regard to the children, but that has been, in our case, a rather moot point due to distance (hundreds of miles.) However, we attend Divine Liturgy whenever traveling in a place where it is available. Our older daughter and her husband attend Divine Liturgy frequently, as they are in a city where it is offered every two weeks.

 

[Aramis]

I had never heard that before. I thought the children were automaticall part of the father’s sui iuris church, whether Latin or Eastern/Oriental, unless the couple specifically requested that they be raised in the mother’s. I’m not doubting you, but it seems strange that the Church would automatically deprive the Latin (or Eastern for that matter) of the joy of passing on his/her heritage to the children.

Canon Law defaults to Father’s Church Sui Iuris; the Post Conciliar Document series essentially is “Pastoral Advice” not hard-line rules.

Current canon law supports so doing, but doesn’t make it automatic. Husband is allowed to change to the church of his wife… it’s just not the default.