The Council of Trent and Lay Lectors

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GodSoughtMe correctly pointed out that a condemnation of an error only asserts a contradictory, not a contrary.

That being said, the “ministry of the word” is a power that properly belongs to the bishop, assisted in this matter by his priests and deacons. Bishops can even delegate it to lay people, which many have done on a limited basis.

Here’s an example where this has been done:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-te...mplementary-norms/canon-766-lay-preaching.cfm

Lay people do not innately have this power, however–only those who have been granted it by the bishop.
 
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Saying that someone is anathema is not the distinguishing language for determining if something is discipline or doctrine. One also needs to read the statement in its entirety; saying that “all sacraments” does not mean that no sacraments may be administered by laity; baptism being the first example; and marriage the second. The priest does not administer the sacrament of baptism in the Roman rite; the couple administer it. the priest is the official witness.
 
I was taught the reverse: that the ministry of the Word is the deacon’s (which is why, if a deacon is assisting at Mass, he reads the Gospel - not the priest, or the bishop).

If the Priest reads the Gospel, it is as deacon; likewise the bishop. Once ordained a deacon, that does not become “enhanced”, or “fulfilled”, or “completed” by a subsequent ordination to the priesthood, nor a subsequent ordination, or consecration to bishop.
 
On the contrary. I was worried that it did, so I wanted an explanation as to how these two canons didn’t contradict.
 
I was less concerned about the “all the sacraments” part, and more concerned about the proclaiming the word part.
 
Actually, the words “if anyone saith X, anathema” do distinguish doctrine from discipline, because when you see those words, they indicate that it’s an infallible statement.
 
For the record the 1984 Canon Law replaces the 1917 Canon Law not the Council of Trent.

As for disciple, it depends. Some of the Sessions are marked as Doctrine, others are marked as Dogmatic Creeds. The anathemas are disciplinary in the sense they don’t necessarily excommunicate you but the underlying doctrine still holds true.
 
semper_catholicus said:
It is infallible, because it’s a Canon; all Canons from all Councils are infallible.
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hoo-boy.

Including the prohibition against visiting a Jewish physician?

Or better yet, all of those Roman Catholics who are anathematized per the Council of Nice for kneeling on Sunday? (with the entire RC church excommunicated from itself, I suppose an EC bishop could step in to lift these against some RC bishops, who could finish the job–at least until next Sunday 🤣).

hawk
 
You do know that all extraordinary ministers of the Word are temporary? It is not a life-long office. They are not instituted. Even so. Why would you care?
 
This is a matter of discipline. When circumstances change then the discipline may change to go along with the changed circumstances.
 
The ministry of the word is preaching and teaching primarily, not just reading at Mass. In fact, the Apostles first appointed deacons so that the Apostles could focus more on the ministry of the word while the deacons did other tasks.
Acts 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
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The ministry of the word primarily belongs to bishops and they are assisted in this by their priests and deacons (and sometimes laity when called upon by the bishops).

Here is the relevant Canon Law on the topic:

THE MINISTRY OF THE DIVINE WORD
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2I.HTM

and

THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2J.HTM
 
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okay, we have something which is part doctrine and part discipline. My bad; but we need to distinguish which is which. Reading it without the context in which it is said leaves people confused, which is why we should follow the Church. And the Church clearly says that some sacraments may be administered by the laity; and the Church obviously approves the Passion Gospel being read by the priest with the assistance of some laity.

All of which may be the prompt of your original question.
 
dochawk said:
Or better yet, all of those Roman Catholics who are anathematized per the Council of Nice for kneeling on Sunday?
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Your point about the various content and import of “canons” is on target. That canon from Nicea, however, did not have a threatened anathema, did it?

Dan
 
I would care, because I suffer from scrupulosity, and this issue has caused a lot of worry for me.
 
I hope other people do not also suffer from your scrupulosity.
 
What does that mean? Because there are other people with scrupulosity.
 
Negative. I mean because you clearly question whether lay people serving as Lectors are really allowed to do so. That could be quite upsetting to those dedicated to that ministry.
 
acanonlawyer said:
Your point about the various content and import of “canons” is on target. That canon from Nicea, however, did not have a threatened anathema, did it?
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on further review, none of the listings of any of the canons of Nice seem to include anathema.

hawk
 
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