What are the conditions for the attendance Protestand clergy at Mass?

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This morning we had Mass at 12.30pm for the departed members of our community choir; not our Church choir but our town choir.

The local protestant clergyman processed into the Sanctuary with our Priest. He was wearing the usual black cassock, long white surplice and black external stole, similar to this: http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/5/59/180px-Choirhabit.jpg
He was also sporting a red poppy (which has always been regarded by Catholics as a Protestant symbol of rememberance for the dead of 2 world wars. No one in the Republic of Ireland wears one unless they have moved here from Britian. It is worn with pride in other parts of the UK.)

He read the first reading of the Mass. He then went to the back of the sanctuary for the rest of the Mass but was at all times visible sitting throughout the consecration, elevation and distribution of Holy Communion.

The local Protestant congregation also attended the Mass.

I am wondering what are the conditions attached to protestant clergy’s participation in the Mass?

Now please folks!!
I do not want hear what you think. I want to hear about, or be guided to, official documents or pronouncements on the matter.
 
Wow!
Does anyone have any idea? :o

oh and apologies for the cringe making typo in the title. Of course I meant Protestant!
 
Not being in Ireland or the UK, I have no idea.

I DO know that in the United States and Canada, the fake, bright red poppy represents Veterans Day and Remembrance Day respectively, and is for honoring veterans. Veterans Day and Remembrance Day (formerly known as Decoration Day) are marked on 11 November.
 
A Protestant is not allowed to assist at Holy Mass by doing the readings, no matter if he is a “pastor” or what have you. You witnessed a grave sacreligious act that day and I would contact your local Bishop, and if he doesn’t respond in accordance then contact the Congregation for Divine Worship.

Ken
 
Fergal said:
This morning we had Mass at 12.30pm for the departed members of our community choir; not our Church choir but our town choir.

The local protestant clergyman processed into the Sanctuary with our Priest. He was wearing the usual black cassock, long white surplice and black external stole, similar to this: http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/5/59/180px-Choirhabit.jpg
He was also sporting a red poppy (which has always been regarded by Catholics as a Protestant symbol of rememberance for the dead of 2 world wars. No one in the Republic of Ireland wears one unless they have moved here from Britian. It is worn with pride in other parts of the UK.)

He read the first reading of the Mass. He then went to the back of the sanctuary for the rest of the Mass but was at all times visible sitting throughout the consecration, elevation and distribution of Holy Communion.

The local Protestant congregation also attended the Mass.

I am wondering what are the conditions attached to protestant clergy’s participation in the Mass?

Now please folks!!
I do not want hear what you think. I want to hear about, or be guided to, official documents or pronouncements on the matter.
Click to expand...
Canon 908 states: Catholic priests are forbidden to concelebrate the Eucharist with priests or ministers of Churches or ecclesial communities which are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.

Your Post indicated that he did not concelebrate the Mass, but he did read the 1st reading (IMHO this would not be considered concelebration). The lector is a duly instituted ministry (Instruction of the Eucharist number 44).

Number 46 states: The lay Christian faithful called to give assistance at liturgical celebrations should be well instructed and must be those Christian life, morals, and fidelity to the Church Magisterium…No one should be selected whose designation could cause consternation for the faithful (partial quote).

The bishop retains the right to regulate concelebrated Mass in all churches and oratories in his diocese.

Is the Protestant minister considered a lay person? IMHO no, but he is not in fidelity to the Church Magisterium either. Could the local bishop approve this limited “celebration” of the Word and not the Eucharist? I could not locate instructions that authorized or forbid.

With these limited references, I would seek clarification, not justification, from the priest in a friendly manner. If his answer does not satisfy you, then I would write the local bishop. I am sure someone out in Internet land will post additional information that proves more beneficial.
 
I want to hear about, or be guided to, official documents or pronouncements on the matter.
Click to expand...
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, 1993, n. 133. “The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.”

The entire directory is probably on the internet somewhere. Try the Vatican website first.
 
cameron_lansing said:
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, 1993, n. 133. “The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.”

The entire directory is probably on the internet somewhere. Try the Vatican website first.
Click to expand...
Good research. The document can be read at:
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html
 
Our current governor is a Catholic. Her innagural Mass was con-celbrated by the Archbishop of New Orleans and the five other bishops of Louisiana. In attendance were representatives from many Protestant denominations and our local rabbi. Two of the ministers read the first two readings, a third minister read the prayers of the faithful and then after Communion they all took turns offering prayers and blessings for the new governor.

This would tend to support how such things can be used to accomodate the public arena.
 
The simple attendance of a Protestant Minister at Mass wouldn’t be a problem. Participation in the Liturgy as a Lector, could be, and as a con celebrant definitely is.
 
Fergal said:
He was also sporting a red poppy (which has always been regarded by Catholics as a Protestant symbol of rememberance for the dead of 2 world wars. No one in the Republic of Ireland wears one unless they have moved here from Britian. It is worn with pride in other parts of the UK.)
Click to expand...
Here in the USA, the red poppy is used as a symbol of Memorial Day in May, not Veterans’ Day in November. Many veterans’ organizations, including the Catholic War Veterans, hand out artificial red poppies that have been made by disabled veterans. People can donate something if they wish, and the donations go towards supporting the disabled veterans.
 
When will you all realize that this is all part of the “one big happy family” religion that the ecumenism of Vat II called for. They will continue to push envelope slowly so as not to create a backlash. Eventually, just like with communion in the hand, girl servers, laypersons acting as EMHC’s, etc…, “interfaith” sevices will become more and more accepted. So, either get used to it, or get Catholic!
 
Fergal said:
He then went to the back of the sanctuary for the rest of the Mass but was at all times visible sitting throughout the consecration, elevation and distribution of Holy Communion.
Click to expand...
He was sitting in the sanctuary for the Liturgy of the Eucharist? Then he wasn’t concelebrating. No issue here.

As for reading the first reading… In the US, Protestant family members and friends are often allowed to read one of the readings at weddings and funerals. I don’t know if a blanket permission is given to do this, but it does occur, and I suspect without the pastor contacting his bishop to get explicit permission.

At a community Mass such as this, I’m having a hard time seeing the problem here. I know that you’re looking for documentation and not opinions, though.

Perhaps an Ecumenical Remembrance Service would have been better than a Mass. Then there isn’t such a problem with who does what.
 
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