www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Prayers for a quick release.

I would like to asks for your prayers. I just receive news that the Ukrainian bishop is willingly accepting me into the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The problem is, I have been asking my Latin Bishop for release for 9 months now with no answer. I am hoping having the letter of acceptance will make him more amiable to allow my release from the Latin church. Please pray for me that an answer will come quickly from this new request.

Yes, that should help assuming you have no impediments (usually that is an unresolved Latin annulment situation, not being released from the Latin clerical state or religious vows, etc). Some EC bishops won't even write their letter until they have the Latin letter in hand.

The CCEO states that for a transfer the consent of the Apostolic See is presumed, provided that the bishops of both particular ritual churches consent to the transfer in writing.

If you don't hear anything soon from the RC diocese, I would resend a copy of your letter from Vladyka +Richard with a very polite cover letter to the RC chancery stating that you have not yet received a reply. I've seen several situations where the reminder notice(s) finally got things moving in the RC chancery, and sometimes a call to the judicial vicar, chancellor, etc. was also needed.

I will pray for you Imier, and realize where you are coming from. I never got episcopal release from my Roman Rite diocese but was told that since there was a unity of faith I could receive the sacraments in either rite. "Lord I love the beauty of your house, the place where your glory dwells." I feel that all good things come to those who wait. I even miss the old communion rail and the tabernacle in the center of the Roman Catholic Church, and now people bow to a crucifix in the center of the church on an empty altar, the Blessed Sacrament is reposed at a side altar and the priest faces the congregation. For this reason I feel more at home in the Eastern parish where one bows before the Lord in the tabernacle at the center of the Church. which is where I feel he should be. I wish you the best of luck and can understand why one might be inclined to change over to a rite (or Church) that is more conducive to one's spirituality. Good luck in your endeavor and if it God's holy will, I hope the Bishop (or whoever must approve your request) will consider it for your own spirituality (it seems marriage annulments are easier to get). Slave Isuzu Christu.

Thank you to those who have prayed for me. I will be received into the UGCC this Sunday November 10, 2013. It has taken me 14 months to be granted release from my Latin bishop. This marks a milestone in journey to the East which started some 33 years ago when my spiritual director in the minor seminary introduced me to the Jesus Prayer.