Valid Eucharist by Episcopal priest, formerly Catholic?

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No, I never have…I am Latin Rite and I have no knowlege of the eastern Rites, I will leave that to you. I’ll conceed that point as it seems you know it to be true, but can you show us some documentation? Where would we go to see this information from your Rite of the Catholic Church? Not a challenge by the way, this is only a request for information.
It seems that I know this to be true? I assure you it is. I was Eastern Orthodox before becoming Eastern Catholic, and I’ve been Eastern Catholic for seven years. It’s true. I have to go to work now. Perhaps I can respond further later.
 
**It seems that I know this to be true? ** I assure you it is. I was Eastern Orthodox before becoming Eastern Catholic, and I’ve been Eastern Catholic for seven years. It’s true. I have to go to work now. Perhaps I can respond further later.
Ok, good. I’d like to learn more about what you say here. I didn’t mean that statement in a derogatory way, simply words.
 
But the reasoning you apply to the Anglican Church negates the validity of all sacraments not occuring in communion with the Catholic Church, which includes the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, as well as the Assyrian Church of the East. And yes, the reasoning you use would also invalidate all non-Catholic baptisms as well, in spite of your protests to the contrary, because you insist that it is necessary for a minister to be Catholic, under Catholic authority, to be able to act with the intent of the church.
No I don’t think so. Because the Protestant communities have no regard for Rome, but the same cannot be said for the others you mention. Again, Episcopalian is different than the Rites you mention.
 
The question deals with the Episcopal Church, not Catholic/Orthodox. Conflating the two and answering as if what applies to one applies to the other just confuses the issue and doesn’t answer the question.
 
In the case we are discussing here, validity of the Eucharist confected by a former Catholic priest in a protestant “mass”, there is never a situation where the priest can work inside of the intent to do what the Church does
This is a broad statement and I can assure you that there are Anglican priests who did have the necessary intention to do what the Church does at their Eucharist. I know one of them. Of course such priests are most likely High Church Anglo-Catholics. His orders were invalid then, of course and therefore so was his Mass, but because of his theology and ecclesiology, he did have the necessary intention. In fact, because all that is required is for the minister to intend to do what the Church does, it’s quite easy to meet this requirement even for ex-Catholics.
, he is in protest and operating outside of Mother Church and outside of Her authority. Is he still a priest? Yes, but outside of communion with his bishop puts him outside of the authority of Mother Church. He is presiding over a holy meal but not the Eucharist.
Please provide something to back up what you have written, I am willing to listen. However, what I have found so far backs up my opinion.
Very well then.

St. Thomas Aquinas
ST III, Q. 82, art. 7. On whether heretics, schismatics and excommunicated priests can consecrate: newadvent.org/summa/4082.htm#article7

ST III Q. 82. art. 8. On whether degraded (i.e. laicized) priests can consecrate. newadvent.org/summa/4082.htm#article8
 
The question deals with the Episcopal Church, not Catholic/Orthodox. Conflating the two and answering as if what applies to one applies to the other just confuses the issue and doesn’t answer the question.
Actually, the question of the Orthodox churches does apply in this case because the objection raised appeals to communion with Rome as required for validity. Ryan correctly points out that communion does not exist between us and the Orthodox, and yet we do not question the validity of their sacraments.

The only difference is that we know that the Anglicans do not possess valid Holy Orders. However, the OP did explicitly state in his post the case of a former Catholic priest who DOES have valid orders so we are just limiting the scope to only HIS Masses.

Basically, those of us who say his Eucharist is valid is based on solid Catholic teaching as to what’s required for a Sacrament. We’re also not trying to make a blanket statement that all former Catholic priests who become Anglican automatically celebrate valid Eucharists; there is more to it. Our assertion is what the Catholic Church teaches: proper matter, proper form, and proper intent.

We cannot be absolutely sure that proper intent will be there in all cases for such a man. If he joins a Low Church, Evangelical, North Side wing of Anglicanism, his doing so may be be indicative of what he believes the Eucharist to be and he may no longer posses the proper intention. But he could also join the High Church, Anglo-Catholic, ad-orientem wing, which may indicate that he indeed affirms the ritual and sacramental truths of the Catholic church (and may even consider himself, albeit falsely, still part of the historic Catholic Church), and such a man can still very easily possess the necessary intent to do what the Catholic Church does. I’m not saying which strain of Anglicanism determines validity; I’m saying that the strain of Anglicanism he joins can be a strong indicator about the man’s theology and ecclesiology.

The claim that sacramental validity is dependent upon communion with Rome is a novel idea, and we know it to be false, which is why the Orthodox example was raised. I would not dismiss Ryan’s example of the Orthodox because the situation between them and the Anglicans, minus the question of Anglican orders, is much the same. Had the Anglicans never promulgated the Edwardian/Cranmerian Ordinal, they probably would be in the same boat as the Orthodox as well, schismatic but with otherwise valid Holy Orders.
 
Lapey, you said:
"These are two canons of the Council of Trent from the section titled “Canons on the Sacraments in General”, 11 clearly states the need to be in line with the intent of Mother Church. A priest who has been laicized and now acts in the person of a priest in another tradition not in communion, and in this case a protestant community, is not capable of acting with the intent of the Catholic Church. Anglo-catholic, or whatever you care to call the denomination is not Catholic. Therefore cannot be said to be “with the intent of the Church.”

“Intent” is THE word of interest here. What does this section mean when is says “intent” in regard to the sacraments.

Your interpretation of “intent” is that everything was be just “so” or “perfect” in regard to what the church wants. And if it isn’t then the sacrament is not valid.

This is a very broad idea of “intent” of the church. Actually, the intent of the church is that everyone become saints in the greatest way possible. Her intent is for everyone to be catholic.
Her intent is that people be very fervant and pious in the reception of communion. It is her intent that priests preach so well that every sermon move them to great depths of love. I could continue with this, but I think this is sufficient to understand that in this section of Trent on the sacraments, she did not mean a broad interpretation of “intent” but rather a more specified “intent” with regard to the sacraments.

From Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p343.
“The minister must further have the intention at least of doing what the Church does.” (De fide).

You mentioned “intent of Mother Church” which covers a lot of ground. Ott says “intention of doing what the church does”, which interpreted means, confect the body and blood, since this is about the sacraments, and this is doing what the church …DOES.

“intent of Mother Church” could be interpreted as being in the state of grace, since Mother Church wants all her ministers to be worthy. But even so, the sacrament would be confected even if the minister is unworthy.

“Intent of Mother Church” and “intention AT LEAST of doing what the church does” is not exactly the same.

I’ve cited Ott. I would be interested if someone of scholistic ability could be mentioned in favor of “intent of Mother Church” as it was intrepreted here.

Just some thoughts.​

“At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.” (hymn)
 
Further reference to the minimum requirement for intent:

ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/INTENTIO.TXT, section 474 Catholic Doctrine.

This article is of a scholarly nature and is quite clear in one section:

but it is required, and also sufficient, that there be an internal intention, at least implicit, of performing the rite as it is customarily performed in the true Church, with all that this includes,*** or is thought, even falsely,*** to include, or of doing what Christians are accustomed to do through such a rite: for by so doing, the minister makes his own the intention of Christians.
 
No I don’t think so. Because the Protestant communities have no regard for Rome, but the same cannot be said for the others you mention. Again, Episcopalian is different than the Rites you mention.
Some of the other groups I mentioned, in some cases, have even less regard for Rome than some Protestants do.
 
Ok, good. I’d like to learn more about what you say here. I didn’t mean that statement in a derogatory way, simply words.
You might Google “Eastern Catholic leavened bread.” There will be links that explain the tradition of the use of leavened bread among Eastern Catholics.
 
Actually, the question of the Orthodox churches does apply in this case because the objection raised appeals to communion with Rome as required for validity. Ryan correctly points out that communion does not exist between us and the Orthodox, and yet we do not question the validity of their sacraments.
There is a world of difference between an Apostolic and non-Apostolic Church, and I don’t see how comparing a non-Apostolic Church to an Apostolic one is relevant to the discussion.

The answer simply comes down to whether or not the priest has proper intent, matter, and form. Given the the apostate priest is involved in a forbidden act (Canon 908) in a non-Apostolic Church, the validity is obviously called into question.
 
The answer simply comes down to whether or not the priest has proper intent, matter, and form. Given the the apostate priest is involved in a forbidden act (Canon 908) in a non-Apostolic Church, the validity is obviously called into question.
The term apostate in this case is not appropriate. Apostasy is “the total repudiation of the Christian faith.” (CCC, 2089). Schismatic would be the more appropriate term.

Yes, a Catholic priest who becomes an Anglican minister and celebrates the Eucharist in a Anglican services is participating in a forbidden act, in a non-apostolic ecclesial community. The validity of such a celebration is questionable, but its possibility is not ruled out. A Catholic priest never loses his priestly character–ever. So he retains the power to confect the Eucharist. Furthermore, just because he goes into schism does not mean that it is impossible for him to have the proper intent. I assure you that there are Anglican ministers who, in celebrating communion, intend to do exactly what the Church does in celebrating the Eucharist. Of course, there are Anglican ministers who have a Calvinist or Zwinglian conception of communion who intend to do otherwise, and some of them might be priests who have left the communion of the Catholic Church.
 
The term apostate in this case is not appropriate. Apostasy is “the total repudiation of the Christian faith.” (CCC, 2089). Schismatic would be the more appropriate term.
Once again, there is more than one type of apostasy. I’m am referring to “apostate ab ordine” (assuming the priest is not a religious, for which “apostate a relgione” would apply).
 
There is a world of difference between an Apostolic and non-Apostolic Church, and I don’t see how comparing a non-Apostolic Church to an Apostolic one is relevant to the discussion.

The answer simply comes down to whether or not the priest has proper intent, matter, and form. Given the the apostate priest is involved in a forbidden act (Canon 908) in a non-Apostolic Church, the validity is obviously called into question.
Oh, most certainly. I said as much in my previous posts on the topic. One cannot paint all former priests’ consecrations as valid solely on the basis of valid holy orders. But the converse is also true, as we have pointed out (with support and sources) that valid consecrations is also possible and that yes, it is very much possible for Anglicans to possess the proper intent (just as it is very much possible for them to have defective intent).

What is wrong is the assertion that communion with Rome automatically determines whether or not intent is proper. It does not and I have provided sources as to why.
 
Nice topic guys. I have no idea which of you has the correct answer as to the validity of the Eucharist of such priest in that situation.

But one thing I know for sure. I Better not go to a “Mass” of those ever. I wouldn’t like “gambling”. Id have the feeling of not being sure if I received Christ, or a piece of bread…That is the biggest difference in the Universe.
 
Nice topic guys. I have no idea which of you has the correct answer as to the validity of the Eucharist of such priest in that situation.

But one thing I know for sure. I Better not go to a “Mass” of those ever. I wouldn’t like “gambling”. Id have the feeling of not being sure if I received Christ, or a piece of bread…That is the biggest difference in the Universe.
You can’t even go to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy, despite its being valid, and still fulfil any obligation. You’re also not supposed to receive any kind of non-Catholic communion, for various reasons (invalid, or because the other church, e.g. Orthodox doesn’t want you to).

As for Anglican and Episcopalian liturgies, we Catholics must always work on the presumption that they are invalid.
 
If he left the Catholic Church and became Episcopalian, it’s not likely he will care what the Catholic bishop permits or denies. From the Catholic perspective, any Eucharist he celebrates will be illicit, but I somehow don’t think that will actually concern him.

That said, the consecration of the Eucharist is a power of Order, not jurisdiction. That means, if a former Catholic and now Episcopalian/Anglican priest consecrates the bread and wine according to, say, the Book of Common Prayer or the English Missal, with the proper intention, yes there will be a true Consecration at that service.

What he will NOT be able to do validly though, is absolve in Confession, except in danger of death because that Sacrament does require proper faculties as well, which he would no longer have.
If he uses the Book of Common Prayer as used by Episcopalians and Anglicans presently, the Eucharist would not be valid. I recall that the Book of Common Prayer used in the Anglican Communion states that the consecration is not intended to effect transubstantiation as understood by us Catholics. That would rob the minister of the intent to do what the Church does.
 
So a Catholic priest becomes an Episcopalian, and he presides over Mass at his Episcopal parish. Since “once a priest, always a priest”, wouldn’t that mean that when says the words of Institution (consecration), that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?

That would mean that the Episcopalians attending that service would be receiving the Eucharist!
Everything I have found points to the reality of the invalidity of the Eucharist in these situations for former Latin Rite Catholic priests, or even those ordained by dissident LRC bishops, is more likely than the Eucharist being valid.

Dr. Taylor Marshall, whom I am not very familiar with seems to put it quite succinctly, even though it is POSSIBLE, it is unlikely and the priests would commit a further act of schism and gravely sin by doing so. He does say is could be possible but all his words point towards reasons why it is not valid. In the rare cases that the Eucharist could be valid it would definitely be illicit.

I do not think this is very gratifying or comforting to think that there is benefit to us by placing our trust in what a person may intend when the tradition he represents makes his actions invalid or at best, gravely schismatic and illicit.

Here is one quote from this blog of his:

“What about the claim of a “revitalized” Anglican Apostolic Succession?
Now then, there are Anglo-Catholic priests that have received valid ordinations by dissenting Catholic bishops and who openly profess belief in transubstantiation. Is their Mass valid? Perhaps. Yet many of these priests openly concelebrate with “women priests” or allow “women deacons” to serve their liturgies. This alone reveals that they do not believe in the Catholic doctrine of the priesthood and Eucharist. The orthodox doctrine of Holy Order prohibits the ordination of women to any degree of Holy Orders (even to the ministerial diaconate).

Those Anglo-Catholics who do not compromise by serving alongside women clerics are still living a double life. Even if a man were validly ordained and had proper intent to consecrate and sacrifice, his willingness to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ apart from the Holy Father in Rome renders every consecration as an act of schism. While the Mass is itself valid and glorifying to God, it is still a sacrilege for the priest who celebrates it. Think of a Catholic priest. If the priest is in mortal sin, he commits sacrilege, but his Mass is valid.

The Catholic priesthood and the Eucharist were never meant to be severed apart from the Pope and the local Catholic bishop. As Saint Ignatius of Antioch said, where the Catholic bishop is, there is the Catholic Church.”

taylormarshall.com/2012/07/do-anglicans-have-valid-eucharist.html
 
If he uses the Book of Common Prayer as used by Episcopalians and Anglicans presently, the Eucharist would not be valid. I recall that the Book of Common Prayer used in the Anglican Communion states that the consecration is not intended to effect transubstantiation as understood by us Catholics. That would rob the minister of the intent to do what the Church does.
This is correct, the institution prayers and the odination rite has been alterred since the middle 1500’s which makes them invalid.
 
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