Stuart,
The situation which John describes differs from that of a child
born to parents who are of different Churches. In that circumstance, the child follows (is baptized into) (is ascribed) to the Church of the Father,
unless both parents agree otherwise. (Likewise, the wife only follows the Church of the husband if she elects to do so.)
Deacon Lance has correctly cited the Canons but, in saying that the children under 14 "are to be automatically enrolled", he is ignoring the point that it must be with the consent of both parents and while John's wife has the 'right' to transfer, ...
it sounds as though, when John transferred, only he elected to do so, and his wife consciously chose not to do so. If so, the question of their son transferring may never have been discussed.
That said, if both John and his wife are in agreement that they wish their son to be canonically transferred, there is no reason in the world why this little boy would need to wait 11 years to transfer - he is of an age (7 years old) when the authority to make that decision rests with his parents and, if they are in agreement to have it happen, there is no canonical impediment to doing so.
John,
Several folks suggested that you have your son chrismated as it may be that his not being chrismated is the reason for an unwillingness to admit him to the Eucharist. However, I can foresee a refusal to chrismate him because he is canonically Latin. So, next question is how do you get him enrolled ...
Have you spoken directly with the pastor? If so, I'm the more baffled, since the pastor of your parish is pretty highly regarded as to his knowledge of Canon Law and the messages you're being given seem woefully out of synch with the canons.
If you have spoken with him and this is his attitude on the subject, there are two other options readily available:
1. write to the
chancery [eparchyofphoenix.org] or
2. change parishes - there is a Ruthenian parish in LV -
St Gabriel the ArchangelOf course, the remaining option would be to return to what you've described as a loving Latin parish. That's certainly an option and, regretably, might be the best in the circumstances. I say regretably because: (1) I find it sad that anyone wanting to worship as an Eastern Christian might be prevented from doing so; and, (2) I suspect that, given your own ethnic heritage, the opportunity to worship according to the Byzantine Rite likely means a lot to you.
If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to PM me.
Many years,
Neil
