www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Request for letter for sui iuris canonical change

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!

Could someone be kind enough to pm me with a copy of an approved format for requesting a canonical change of church?

Thank you so much for your assistance!

In Christ,

Michael

I would also be interested in that as well.

I don't believe there is such a thing as an "approved format". You simply need to communicate your request to the two appropriate hierarchs in a standard business letter, explaining your reasons for the request. The parish priest of the urisdiction into which you are traveling should also be aware of your intentions, and can probably help with the letters.

EJKlages,

I think, at least for me, the request is for a copy of a letter that was actually approved and the person was granted the canonical change.

God Bless You,

Dr. Eric

Dear Dr. Eric,

Yes, thank you for clarifying my request. In the canonical enrollment process form, it specifically states:

i. The reason why you are requesting this change of canonical enrollment. It is important to know the compelling and positive reasons for which you wish to be a member of the Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh, USA, and a subject of the Eparchy of Passaic.

j. Negative reasons against the rites and ceremonies or spirituality of the Church sui iuris from which you are petitioning to transfer are not acceptable.


The following reasons to formally transfer pertain especially regarding spirituality of the Church sui iuris that this humble person wishes to join, therefore, this person is apprehensive in possibly supplying reasons that will throw the petition out the window or into file 13.

1. Guided by the Holy Spirit into the Church.
2. Finding a Spiritual Father that helps supplies the tools needed to be successful to stand again when constantly falling from sinful conduct.
3. Discovering the beauty of Eastern Theology.
4. Being embraced by a very warm and wonderful group of parishioners.
5. Being selfish, wanting to renew the 20Th anniversary wedding vows withing the Byzantine Church with this person's soul mate.

This person is concerned that these reasons will violate against section j by their positive affirmation of the East, which will thereby imply negative spirituality within the west.

In Christ.

Michael

I have shared the letter I wrote with a few people who were interested in pursuing a change in canonical enrollment, but always with the caveat that it should not be used as any kind of template. The most important thing is to just to explain YOUR reasons for wanting to pursue the change. Other persons explanations are irrelevant.

There is no need to be concerned that a positive affirmation for one ritual church necessarily implies a negative view of another. I can appreciate and like both corn and broccoli, and express a preference for corn, without in any way implying a dislike for broccoli.

What will doom a request is describing a laundry list of dissatisfactions with your current church. It is probably best to avoid comparisons between the two as well. Just stick to explaining why you want to end up where you are being called.

Ed

Half of me is already there, it's that other half(me not the wife)causing the delay...

james