Should an Eastern Catholic infant receive Communion in a Roman Catholic church?

[mardukm]

The question was how an Eastern Catholic child can receive in a Latin Catholic parish.

The Latin Code says: “Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.”

Also:
Can. 13 §2. Travelers are not bound by the laws of the territory in which they are present, with the exception of those laws which provide for public order, which determine the formalities of acts, or which regard immovable goods located in the territory.

So:
(1) An non-Latin Catholic is not bound by the laws of the Latin Catholic Church regarding communion of infants.

(2) It is really the good order of the local congregation according to the determination of the pastor whether an Eastern Catholic infant can receive in a Latin Catholic parish. It is not set in stone as your statement “they don’t receive” suggests.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[ConstantineTG]

The question was how an Eastern Catholic child can receive in a Latin Catholic parish.

Blessings,
Marduk

Yes. When we’re in the RC parish we respect the RC tradition and praxis. Kids don’t receive until they are 7.

I already got kicked out from teaching catechism in the local RC parish because I went to the Ukrainian Catholics. Last thing I need is a priest clueless of the Eastern Churches having a lengthy discussion likely to turn into an argument with me. Besides, it is rare that we would go to a Latin parish anyway. I think in the last calendar year we’ve been in an Orthodox parish more times than we are in a Latin Catholic parish.

 

[5Loaves]

Yes. When we’re in the RC parish we respect the RC tradition and praxis. Kids don’t receive until they are 7.

OPs children are canonically Eastern Catholic. Other Eastern Catholics I’ve heard from have said basically what babochka said, it’s been a non-issue nearly always.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

We thankfully live in an era where Latin Catholic priests should be most familiar with the existence of Eastern Catholics, especially within their own canonical territories. I’ve even discovered recently here on CAF that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has included in its parish directory a listing of the Eastern Catholic churches within its territory.

What possible “scandal” could come from communing Eastern Catholic children at a Latin Catholic Mass? An uncharacteristically bold statement here for me, perhaps, but I reject the very notion that reception of the Eucharist by any properly disposed Catholic could be considered a source of “scandal”. Think about it.

 

[Vico]

We thankfully live in an era where Latin Catholic priests should be most familiar with the existence of Eastern Catholics, especially within their own canonical territories. I’ve even discovered recently here on CAF that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has included in its parish directory a listing of the Eastern Catholic churches within its territory.

What possible “scandal” could come from communing Eastern Catholic children at a Latin Catholic Mass? An uncharacteristically bold statement here for me, perhaps, but I reject the very notion that reception of the Eucharist by any properly disposed Catholic could be considered a source of “scandal”. Think about it.

Scandal is and example that leads others to sin, even if not sinful for the one giving the sandal. Sin includes sacrilege, which is what happens when the Real Presence is not respected. Now the Latin Church canons, which are different than the eastern, state that for children to receive they must “understand the mystery of Christ…” (Can. 913 §1). The parents and pastor have specific responsibilities (Can. 914):Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion. §2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.

Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.

Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
Therefore scandal can be given, if the Latin faithful mistakenly think that these eastern children receive when it is not lawful.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Therefore scandal can be given, if the Latin faithful mistakenly think that these eastern children receive when it is not lawful.

Understood, but what in fact is the scandal in this case, in this day and age?

 

[Vico]

Understood, but what in fact is the scandal in this case, in this day and age?

Scandal is possible today because the faithful and others not in the Catholic Church are not well catechized or do not understand the sacramental disciplines of the various Catholic Churches. The scandal is given to the weak, those that can be scandalized.

1 Cor 8: “Douay-Rheims Bible Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.”

The clergy or faithful appear to be disrespecting God, the laws of God, or of the legitimate authority of the Church, and the weak are led into error as a result. If not led into error there is no scandal.

 

[Vico]

Scandal is possible today because the faithful and others not in the Catholic Church are not well catechized or do not understand the sacramental disciplines of the various Catholic Churches. The scandal is given to the weak, those that can be scandalized.

1 Cor 8: “Douay-Rheims Bible Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.”

The clergy or faithful appear to be disrespecting God, the laws of God, or of the legitimate authority of the Church, and the weak are led into error as a result. If not led into error there is no scandal.

Revise to:
The act must be of a nature to induce sin in another; consequently it is not necessary that the neighbor should actually fall into sin.

 

[mardukm]

Last thing I need is a priest clueless of the Eastern Churches having a lengthy discussion likely to turn into an argument with me.

Why would it turn into an argument? You show him Canon 13 of his Canons, but if he feels his congregation is not properly prepared to see it happen, then end of discussion. You can suggest to him about starting a class to help Latins learn about Eastern Catholicism. But I can’t fathom why an argument would start.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Vico]

Marduk,

I think it is because ConstantineTG’s family is Latin Catholic canonically which requires that infants be communed per the Latin canon law not the eastern Catholic law. That is, unless he was granted a transfer lately.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Why would it turn into an argument? You show him Canon 13 of his Canons, but if he feels his congregation is not properly prepared to see it happen, then end of discussion. You can suggest to him about starting a class to help Latins learn about Eastern Catholicism. But I can’t fathom why an argument would start.

Blessings,
Marduk

As I noted in the same post, I’ve already been kicked out of a catechetical program because I am a “non-practicing Catholic” for being in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Marduk,

I think it is because ConstantineTG’s family is Latin Catholic canonically which requires that infants be communed per the Latin canon law not the eastern Catholic law. That is, unless he was granted a transfer lately.

Do priests in the real world really check these credentials? Fact is only here in CAF we are that stringent. I mean, per canon law I shouldn’t have had my daughter even baptized in the UGCC. But I did.

 

[mardukm]

As I noted in the same post, I’ve already been kicked out of a catechetical program because I am a “non-practicing Catholic” for being in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

What does that have to do with it? I have noticed over the course of many months here that you have represented Latin Catholicism rather poorly. TBH, if I were Latin Catholic, I wouldn’t want you teaching Latin Catholicism to my kids either. In any case, why would an argument even start? You don’t have to respond publicly. Just ponder it in your heart.

Do priests in the real world really check these credentials? Fact is only here in CAF we are that stringent. I mean, per canon law I shouldn’t have had my daughter even baptized in the UGCC. But I did.

Of course they do, or they should. But it is up to him or his bishop to apply oikonomia when appropriate.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Vico]

…
Do priests in the real world really check these credentials? Fact is only here in CAF we are that stringent. I mean, per canon law I shouldn’t have had my daughter even baptized in the UGCC. But I did.

Yes, my pastor does all the checks. If someone come up that he does not know, he asks them right there on the spot. We get a lot of Latin Catholics visiting and he does not allow the children to receive unless they have already been to the Latin first communion.

Also he follows the canons for the three Holy Mysteries of Christian Initiation with regard to sui iuris Church. We have had complex situations all done with proper permissions.

 

[mardukm]

Scandal is possible today because the faithful and others not in the Catholic Church are not well catechized or do not understand the sacramental disciplines of the various Catholic Churches. The scandal is given to the weak, those that can be scandalized.

1 Cor 8: “Douay-Rheims Bible Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.”

The clergy or faithful appear to be disrespecting God, the laws of God, or of the legitimate authority of the Church, and the weak are led into error as a result. If not led into error there is no scandal.

I don’t know about other Eastern/ Oriental Catholics, but I think this is a great spiritual perspective.

However, I should point out that this is a double-edged sword. I’ve conversed with people who approach this biblical exhortation in a rather bad way.

First, there are those who are in a position to accomodate, and they have a triumphalistic attitude that the ones who need to be accomodated are weak-minded.

Then, there are those who are in a position to be accomodated, and they have a prideful attitude that the ones who are accomodating are looking down on them, and have no right to do so.

The only solution to both extremes is the spiritual fruit of humility.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[ConstantineTG]

What does that have to do with it? I have noticed over the course of many months here that you have represented Latin Catholicism rather poorly. TBH, if I were Latin Catholic, I wouldn’t want you teaching Latin Catholicism to my kids either. In any case, why would an argument even start? You don’t have to respond publicly. Just ponder it in your heart.

Of course they do, or they should. But it is up to him or his bishop to apply oikonomia when appropriate.

Blessings,
Marduk

What do you want me to do marduk? That is my real life experience. Do you want me to say the Latin Catholics were such great people for being ignorant of Eastern Catholic Churches and kicking me out of catechism? How else do you want this event represented?

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Scandal is possible today because the faithful and others not in the Catholic Church are not well catechized or do not understand the sacramental disciplines of the various Catholic Churches.

Exactly - that is the scandal

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Yes, my pastor does all the checks. If someone come up that he does not know, he asks them right there on the spot. We get a lot of Latin Catholics visiting and he does not allow the children to receive unless they have already been to the Latin first communion.

That’s a different scenario, as the priest understands that such children may not have yet been properly prepared according to the norms of their own ritual Church. That is respectful. Refusing to commune Eastern Catholic children who do in fact receive the Eucharist regularly is not exactly the opposite side of the coin …

 

[mardukm]

What do you want me to do marduk? That is my real life experience. Do you want me to say the Latin Catholics were such great people for being ignorant of Eastern Catholic Churches and kicking me out of catechism? How else do you want this event represented?

Not sure what you are talking about here. I said you have represented Latin Catholicism poorly - i.e., her teachings and canons.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[apb92]

Not sure what you are talking about here. I said you have represented Latin Catholicism poorly - i.e., her teachings and canons.

Blessings,
Marduk

Marduk,
You’ve made a very unfair assumption here towards ConstantineTG. I’ve taught catechism at a Latin Catholic Church for several years, and I’ve taught them orthodox Latin Catholic teachings, canons, and praxis. I’m not Latin Catholic; I’m Ukrainian Catholic. While teaching I’ve made my students aware of the Eastern Catholic Churches, but I did not teach them Eastern spirituality. Just because I am not Latin Catholic does not make me any less knowledgeable of the Latin Church. As an analogy, it’s like saying that a Protestant is unqualified to teach a Scripture course to Catholics at a Catholic university. Just because the professor is Protestant does not mean the professor cannot teach the orthodox Catholic understanding of Scripture.

ConstantineTG,
I’m very sorry for the pain you’ve had to endure in regards to this situation. Just know that in other places Latin Catholics can be much more amiable towards their Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ.

Marduk and ConstantineTG, I do not post often on these forums, but I want you both to know that I have tremendous respect for you and have learned a lot from you. I am grateful for you both. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

 

[Vico]

That’s a different scenario, as the priest understands that such children may not have yet been properly prepared according to the norms of their own ritual Church. That is respectful. Refusing to commune Eastern Catholic children who do in fact receive the Eucharist regularly is not exactly the opposite side of the coin …

I agree with you that are different.

1. Latin coming to receive communion in any parish, not meeting the requirements of the Latin canons, even if given prior communion in danger of death
2. Eastern coming to receive communion in any parish, not meeting the requirements of the eastern canons, even if given prior communion in danger of death

The scandal is given to those (Catholic or non-Catholic) that could mistakenly think that they could receive similarly but would not be so, and it is given by the clergy administering the Holy Eucharist and may also be given by those receiving (intentionally or unintentionally). Yet the clergy could allow to receive, those that properly receive in their ritual Church, after teaching their faithful how it is proper.