www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Bi-ritual clerics--a question

No disparagement intended.

I was thinking of what a Novus Ordo Deacon does, but the Diaconate in the old Latin Rite was the penultimate of the five orders of the priesthood. Today's Novus Ordo Deacon would no doubt have to do a good deal of studying to be able to fulfill the functions of an Eastern Deacon. Today's Novus Ordo Deacon is not usually in seminary studying for the priesthood. In Novus Ordo Masses that I have attended that had a Deacon, the Deacon simply read the Gospel reading and helped pass out Communion. They had no function during the action of the Cannon. That's all I meant by not qualified. Perhaps I should have elaborated more--I took it for granted that people would know what I meant.

As for the Eastern Deacon participation as a Deacon in the Novus Ordo, well, the Eastern Deacon is an ecclesiastical function much more integral to the Eastern Liturgy, participating in the Anaphora, and as such the position carries more dignity (no offense.)

In reality, although both positions are called "Deacons," they have quite different functions now.

I fail to see how the comment is disparaging to anyone or anything. In any case, others have been of much more help in answering the question than I ever could have. I simply posted what I knew, since the original question had not been answered by anyone else for a while, and as my question about candles has been totally ignored by all, I thought I would help the guy out. My comments usually draw other comments because my username is a target. And many did react and give good information, but I got the ball rolling.

\\the Diaconate in the old Latin Rite was the penultimate of the five orders of the priesthood.\\

No.

Ven. Pius XII defined sub-diaconate as a MINOR order. Presbyterate is the second highest major order; he defined that it was conferred by the imposition of hands.

\\In reality, although both positions are called "Deacons," they have quite different functions now. \\

Only in the different Catholic churches. A deacon is still in major orders, regardless of sui juris church.

It is quite commonly said that Pius XII defined the subdiaconate as a minor order, but this does not actually seem to be true. Sacramentum Ordinis does not mention the subdeaconate at all.

Paul VI in Ministeria Quaedam is still grouping the subdeaconate in the major orders and sees the 2nd Vatican Council as having understood it as a major order:

He then abolishes the subdeaconate as a major order that is being abolished :

Shawnbm,

I am a bi-ritual priest.

To become bi-ritual I asked my Latin bishop for his permission. He gave it and then I wrote a letter to the Eastern (Ruthenian) Bishop with a copy of the Latin bishop's endorsing letter. My Byzantine bishop agreed to the request. My Eastern bishop sent a petition to Rome requesting I be given bi-ritual faculties. The Congregation for Eastern Churches granted the request and then sent the Byzantine bishop the indult granting the petition. I was given the indult and asked to learn how to serve the Liturgy and Services.

I spent some time at the Seminary in Pittsburgh learning the chant and Service and also worked with a priest who was in the area. I spent some time in a parish observing and concelebrating the Services.

I served full time in a Latin parish and bi monthly in a small Byzantine outreach. After 7 years of having the bi-ritual indult I requested the blessing of the Latin bishop to serve solely in a Byzantine Eparchy. I did that for three years until the Latin bishop requested I return to his diocese. I continue to serve two small Eastern communities who each have a Liturgy once a month. The Latin parish where I am assigned also has a number of Byzantine members so the Liturgy is served here for them and others once a month also.

Bless, Father,

Welcome to the forum!

Many years,

Neil

A few years ago on Deutsche Welle TV I saw a report from the Czech Republic where a married of course Greek Catholic priest was contracted to also serve for a Roman Catholic parish that was unable to find a priest of its own.

Our Fr. Chrysostom Frank is married and serves both the Russian Catholic and Latin Rite parishes in Denver. Both he and his matushka are professors at the Denver RC seminary.

Our priest is a Domincan who is a chaplain at an RC retirement village but has BCC biritual faculties and serves our small community. If he were not here we would not exist.

Thank you, Father, for your reply. I did not know it could be as simple as that--thought that maybe a Latin bishop might balk at one of the diocese's priests wishing to devote time to another rite within the Church. I am very pleased to hear it happens and seemingly without much fuss. Pax Christi.

Shawn,
It all depends on the bishop. Mine tell me that my Latin work must not "suffer." :)