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Glory to Jesus Christ!
Can anyone tell me if my wife and I, as hopefully, soon-to-be Byzantine Catholics could fullfil our Sunday obligation by attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy ? Of course, we and our kids would not be trying to receive Holy Communion.
Blessings to all!
Sam
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Sam,
Yes, you can do so. As you note, seeking to receive Communion would not be a good idea. Although Catholics can receive from an Orthodox priest, the Orthodox generally frown on it and would likely refuse you.
Many years,
Neil
"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
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It is no longer the case that a Catholic can fulfill his/her Sunday obligation attending an Orthodox liturgy.
The 1967 Ecumenical Directory did have a section that stated a Catholic could fulfill his/her Sunday obligation at an Orthodox church if he/she attended for particular reasons, such as being invited by an Orthodox friend, family members who are Orthodox, ecumenical interest, etc.
However, the Ecumenical Directory was revised a few years ago and this section was dropped, which means that a Catholic can no longer fulfill his/her obligation at an Orthodox Church.
If it were physically or morally impossible for a Catholic to attend a liturgy in any Catholic rite, a Catholic could attend an Orthodox liturgy, and receive communion if permitted by the Orthodox priest. Again, only if access to a Catholic church were impossible. A Catholic is dipensed from attending liturgy if there are no Catholic parishes for him/her to attend.
This question has been asked previously. You may want to do a search to view these previous posts. Also, this question has been asked on the Eastern Catholic Forum on the EWTN website.
I am not aware of any explanation for the change.
I will look into this matter further.
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The principle that one may fulfill one's Sunday obligation by attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy was already established prior to the publication of the Ecumenical Directory, so the appearance and dis-appearance of this point in the Ecumenical Directory has not particular significance.
Incognitus
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IIRC this principle made no distinction regarding the particular church of the Catholic, a RC and a BC were treated equally.
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Originally posted by incognitus:
The principle that one may fulfill one's Sunday obligation by attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy was already established prior to the publication of the Ecumenical Directory, so the appearance and dis-appearance of this point in the Ecumenical Directory has not particular significance.
Incognitus Dear Icognitus, Do you know when this principle was established? The Church is very good in putting these sort of matters in print, so there should be some reference to consult. When a particular document is revised, the previous version is no longer binding, for example the revision of the Code of Canon Law. I am certainly interested in this matter, and am investigating it further. May God bless you,  griego catolico
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Here's the appropriate canon from the Code of Canon Law (CIC) which pertains to Latin Catholics:
Can. 1248 �1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.
�2. If participation in the eucharistic celebration becomes impossible because of the absence of a sacred minister or for another grave cause, it is strongly recommended that the faithful take part in a liturgy of the word if such a liturgy is celebrated in a parish church or other sacred place according to the prescripts of the diocesan bishop or that they devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.
There is no corresponding obligation for Eastern Catholics to attend "Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite" to fulfill the obligation. I do not have the Eastern Code (CCEO) at hand but the "obligation" is fulfilled for Eastern Catholics by their participation "in the Divine Liturgy or, according to the regulations or custom of their own rite, in the celebration of the Divine Office. That the faithful may be able more easily to fulfill their obligation, it is laid down that the period of time within which the precept should be observed extends from the Vespers of the vigil to the end of the Sunday or the feast day." ( Orientalium Ecclesiarum, n. 15) This is the language found in the CCEO.
To answer ByzCathDad's original question, the answer is yes, you can fulfill the obligation to pray at an Orthodox Liturgy, including vespers or matins.
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A short time ago I found this Q an d it's answer on EWTN's General Questions Board - I do find the language a little less than diplomatic - any comments ? Earlier this winter we had a really bad snowstorm in New England. I made a judgement call that it was too unsafe to drive to our church. Instead, we walked down the street to the greek orthodox church. Did going to this chuch satisfy our sunday requirement?
Answer by David Gregson on 03-29-2004:
You're not obliged to hazard life or limb in bad weather, in order to make it to Mass on Sunday or other day of obligation. In case you can't get to Mass on a day of obligation, the Code of Canon Law "strongly recommends" taking part in a Liturgy of the Word, if it's offered in an accessible Catholic parish (without a priest), or, failing that, to devote yourself to prayer "for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families" (can. 1248 �2). Nothing is said about attending an Orthodox or other non-Catholic liturgy as a way of fulfilling the Sunday obligation.
It's true that Canon Law permits Catholics, in the absence of a Catholic priest, "to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid" (which would include the Greek Orthodox Church), "whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided" (can. 844 �2). The case in view, however, is the prolonged inaccessibility of a Catholic priest. So this has no real bearing on your own case. And again, simply attending the liturgy in a non-Catholic church isn't addressed by the Code.
I see no harm in attending an Orthodox liturgy if you're prevented from getting to Mass, provided you're on guard against error and indifferentism, and don't make a habit of it. However, as an alternative, I would recommend watching and praying along with a televised Mass (even if in delayed broadcast), and have that as your "suitable time" devoted to prayer called for by the Code. And on the Apologetics Board I found I am a 60year Catholic. Because of the present condition of the American Church and my diosese, I have gone to both Greek and Maronite liturgys. It seems to me that the Maronites have the sacred liturgy we gave up. The're structure for the liturgy is in the order it should be (sign of peace) before the Consecration. My wife feels I am sinning by going to the Maronite Liturgy. I think I have found the true church. Please Help. Thank you, John
Answer by Catholic Answers on 03-30-2004:
Dear John,
The Maronites are in union with Rome, but not the Greeks. Stay away from the Greeks and go with the Maronites. There is nothing wrong with our Mass so long as it is celebrated reverently. However, if you prefer the Maronite liturgy, it is not a sin for you to do so. Now the comment about avoiding Greeks disturbs me I have to say - again - any comments from you all By the way I have deliberately omitted giving the name of the person answering this last question. Anhelyna
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Dear Anhelyna, I am not surprised. As long as we are in schism from each other (Orthodox and Catholic) you will be hearing these type of comments from BOTH sides. I believe that the fear is that one side will prosletyze to the other...and often, they infact, do. I do not think that the person really thinks that Greek (Orthodox) liturgies are not grace filled, but I think that it is just ugly old fear, distrust and polemics speaking again. Oh well!  With love in Christ, Alice
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Dear Alice,
Thank you for your charitable kindness on this score.
But the fact that an EWTN person has responded in such a manner shows that either he or EWTN as a whole feel that Vatican II is something that has happened to "other Catholics" and not to them.
What I find particularly alarming is the fellow's readiness to lump Orthodoxy with other non-Catholics as if there is little distinction.
It could also be that certain members of the Roman Catholic Church, having lost numbers to the Orthodox and ritually "High" Anglican and Old Catholic churches, are deathly afraid of allowing Latin Catholics to come into any contact at all with the Eastern Churches - for fear that these will join them.
Whenever I hear EWTN people comment on the Eastern Churches, I'm amazed at their level of ignorance about even the EC Churches that are brothers and sisters under the same roof of faith and ecclesial communion.
I guess their Eastern Church programmes and Anthony Dragani on EWTN are for "export purposes only?"
Alex
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Dear Alex,
I understand your frustration, as the Latin rite of the Catholic church historically thought it was superior to the Eastern. That does seem to be changing, albeit, slowly.
Father Michael Sopoliga from 'Light of the East' on EWTN is on this forum, perhaps he can fill you in on the progress of enlightening the Roman Catholics about the East. My husband and I have been most impressed by him and Father Bertha on EWTN. I have also seen nothing but positive commentary by other clergy (such as Fr. Mitch Pacwa) and religious about the East on EWTN, and I do watch it somewhat often, though not so much lately.
Fondly in Christ,
Alice
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I think it is a true shame that answers are not made in charity, as the grace of Our Lord is not limited, and short answers are unkind, and confuse people who write to them in honest seeking, as in Anhelyna's examples.
Both the West and the East have truly dedicated men called to their ministry, and whom would largely be rather surprised at the amount of misinformation being spread about the faith online these days. ByzCath is truly fortunate in the number of clergy it posesses, and the net result is the "misinformation" is minimal, although it does exist.
Gaudior, praying that other internet fora and even FAQ spots rely on pious and dedicated clergy to halt misinformation.
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Dear Alice, Yes, I've rarely come across Latin clergy who demonstrate such insensitivity and ignorance. But EWTN is there for all to see. Even one man's ignorance expressed in public comes back to paint all with a common brush. Fr. Mitch Pacwa is very good and I love his Holy Land Rosary! Doesn't everyone? Alex
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From the CCEO, Canon 669:
"For a just cause Catholics can attend the liturgical worship of other Christians and take part in the same...".
The CCEO has already OK'd this Sam. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I definitely consider maintaining your Byzantine tradition and spirituality for your family as a "just cause".
I agree with Alex that with regard to the Eastern Churches, EWTN sometimes does not have the entire picture when responding to specific Eastern Catholic questions. If someone is physically able, I don't understand why they would want to stay home and watch "TV Liturgy". If you are homebound that is an entirely different matter.
Not too long ago I helped a family officially change churches to a Byzantine eparchy, and the direction they had received from EWTN regarding this matter left both me and the Greek Catholic bishop in question scratching our heads.
But the answer on the apologetics board is even more disturbing, as simply mentioning attending the Maronite liturgy as "not a sin" isn't exactly the highest level of praise for another Liturgy equal in dignity, validity, and efficacy to all other Catholic liturgies.
Squarely from Vatican II itself in Unitatis Redintegratio, 15 : "...Therefore some worship in common (communicatio in sacris)... is not only possible but to be encouraged."
The law is meant not to bind or restrict, but as the Angelic Doctor himself (St. Thomas Aquinas) said, the highest law is the salvation of souls. The Holy Father's statements regarding our preserving and protecting our tradition may even neccesitate us sometimes worshipping with the Orthodox.
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Fr. Deacon John: Unfortunately, the Latin Church has carried its legalistic thinking to the East. In the codex iuris for the Eastern Catholic Churches we find canon 881 which corresponds to the Latin canon you cited. It reads: CAN. 881 �1. The Christian faithful are bound by the obligation to participate on Sundays and feast days in the Divine Liturgy, or according to the prescripts or legitimate custom of their own Church sui iuris, in the celebration of the divine praises.
�2. In order for the Christian faithful to fulfill this obligation more easily, the useful time runs from the evening of the vigil until the end of the Sunday or feast day.
�3. The Christian faithful are strongly recommended to receive the Divine Eucharist on these days and indeed more frequently, even daily.
�4. The Christian faithful should abstain from those work or business matters that impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy that is proper to the Lord's day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body. Since the whole concept of "obligation" is foreign to the Eastern Churches, this is a strange approach. Yet, there it is. For Melkites the "Sunday obligation" is met by attending Vespers or Orthros. If one is physically or morally unable to attend a Catholic liturgy, then the obligation is waived and attendance at an Orthodox Liturgy would be permissible, and even recommended. Edward, deacon and sinner
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