www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Dispensation to receive Orthodox Sacraments

Howdy-

I've already tried the Search function and I can't find the answer for this.

I understand that the Catholic CHurch allows Orthodox Christians to receive the Sacraments but encourages them to obey the canons of their church (which normally forbid them to do this).

On the other hand, the Orthodox Churches don't allows Catholics to do the same.

I know a guy who is moving to Alaska and will not be able to go to a Catholic Mass anymore because there are none in his area. Would he be able to receive a dispensation to receive the Sacraments in an Orthodox Church there instead if he communicated with both the Catholic and Orthodox bishops of the area?

Failing that, would he be able to get a dispensation to fulfill Sunday obligation by only attending Orthodox Divine Liturgy?

Lastly...do you think they'd be friendly to him if he WAS allowed to do either of these? I wouldn't want him to get approval and then have an unbearable time with the community. I intend to make him aware that the Liturgy would be very alien, but I think he's the sort who would brave all of that to receive Christ in the Eucharist on Sunday and/or fulfill his Sunday Obligation.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Alaska has Latin Catholic Communities in almost every town and village. It has one Byzantine-Ruthenian Church in Anchorage and many Orthodox Churches sprinkled throughout. As far as getting a dispensation to attend DL in an Orthodox Church, that is not necessary; it is allowed by Canon Law, obviously. Eastern Catholics do not use terms like "Sunday obligation" so that is irrelevant, but a Latin Catholic would fulfill their "obligation" at an Orthodox Divine Liturgy if a Catholic Church was not available; they would be making a spiritual communion, though.

There are four Orthodox Jurisdictions in Alaska: the OCA, the Antiochians, the Greeks, and ROCOR. All of them except the Greeks are very traditional. The Russian Orthodox Diocese of the OCA being the most traditional following the Julian Calendar and all of the traditional praxis. The ROCOR parish in Anchorage is a convert/mixed parish, but nevertheless also follows the Julian Calendar and Russian praxis. An I can guarantee that none of them would ever allow a non-Orthodox to receive the Mysteries.
But most of the Orthodox Churches are welcoming and very much like a village within a village. But, I am sure that he will be able to find a Mass to attend. Give me a PM and I can tell you if there is a Catholic Community were he will be going, ok.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Robert-

I'm trying to get the exact location from him but I got the impression that he had already checked and knew that it would be greatly inconvenient to commute to a Catholic Parish. I don't think he had considered the possibility of fulfilling his Sunday Obligation this way; he's not necessarily interested in Eastern Christianity, but I'm just letting him know what he can do about his situation.

Peter,
from the Latin catholic side no dispensation is necessary, its a matter of canon law.
A Latin Catholic can receive the Sacraments in an Orthodox Church and fulfills his obligation for sunday by attendance at an Orthodox liturgy.

However, they will most likely be refused communion by the Orthodox.
Sorry I dont know the exact canon.
Stephanos I

I would be shocked if you could find a canon allowing this--I know one can fulfill his Sunday obligation there if no Catholic Church is available, but I don't think that one may receive Communion there by RC law.

LatinTrad

Actually, according to what I've read, if there is no Catholic church around in order to fulfil one's Sunday obligation, then the obligation is automatically lifted; you are under no requirement to seek out an Orthodox church, for example, although it is praiseworthy to do so. The relevant canon itself does not say anything about attending another church:

Can. 1248 �1 The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied wherever Mass is celebrated in a catholic rite either on a holyday itself or on the evening of the previous day.

�2 If it is impossible to assist at a eucharistic celebration, either because no sacred minister is available or for some other grave reason, the faithful are strongly recommended to take part in a liturgy of the Word, if there be such in the parish church or some other sacred place, which is celebrated in accordance with the provisions laid down by the diocesan Bishop; or to spend an appropriate time in prayer, whether personally or as a family or, as occasion presents, in a group of families.

As for a canon allowing Catholics to receive in Orthodox churches, I cannot find one, but I've read that, because the Catholic Church recognises the sacraments of the Orthodox Church, that there is no impediment from the POV of the Catholic Church for a Catholic to receive the sacraments in an Orthodox church, although the Orthodox would generally have a problem with it, and so the Catholic individual should respect the policy of the particular jurisdiction. (That was a long sentence!) I know I've read it somewhere from legitimate sources, although I cannot find it in the canons, so it may not be there.

[Deleted; double post. Sorry!]

I think the specific canon covering this situation is Section 2 of Canon 844 (1983 Latin Code of Canons):

AmdG

Dear Amado,

Thanks! I had completely forgotten about 844 this time, although it is one of the few canons that I usually remember if I am not looking at canons in front of me. I guess it didn't come up in the places I was searching, or I skimmed too fast.

What does this canon mean by "morally impossible"?

Dave

Dear Mor Ephrem:

I remember us (this Forum) discussing this a few months back and I cited the fact that Canon 844 is referenced at the back page of the obiquitous "missalettes" in ALL Latin parishes in the U.S., presumably at the directive of the USCCB.

I believe this is true to all national Episcopal Conferences worldwide.

Amado

Dear Dave:

I have not "blossomed" into a canonist!

Likewise, I am expectantly awaiting someone among us to explain the meaning of that phrase: "morally impossible" as it applies to Catholics, especially to a Latin like me!

Amado

The phrase "morally impossible" is used to distinguish it from "absolutely impossible."

E.g. it is possible in the absolute sense for me to drive 600 miles every Sunday, but that may involve too much hardship or expense, rendering it "morally" impossible.

LatinTrad

Canon 844 of the Latin Code is exactly what I had in mind. This corresponds to the Eastern Canon 670-671
Not only in danger of death but for another good reason, like, say an prolonged period of absence from the sacraments which would be detrimental to the spiritual life of the person.
Stephanos I

Latin Trad
No in the case of having to drive 600 miles that would be physically impossible, morally impossilbe means something else.

So you see there is a canon which allows a Catholic to receive sacraments in another Church.
And hold onto your hat, it also includes the Polish National Church of America and Canada.

Stephanos I