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Catholics change to a Byzantine rite if they wish? If they wanted to would they have to ask the Bishop for permission etc?

Oh by the way Hi all. This is my first post here.
I'm Latin rite by birth and I post over at CARm in the Catholic section most of the time.

Simply the answer is

Yes

and

Yes

BUT

You would really be expected to be involved with the life of a Byzantine Parish for some time - months even years, rather than weeks - before petitioning for this .

However someone else will be along with a MUCH better answer than this.

Anhelyna - the lopsided Latin

Tsk Tsk - where's my manners -

Welcome :p

Yes, however you should firmly establish yourself and immerse yourself in Byzantine Theology and Sritiuality first. Attachment to a community is issential.And as previously stated only after some years.
Stephanos I

Thanks for your replies.
I'm going to go to a Byzantine Liturgy on Sunday. I have always loved the Church (second to Christ). Although there are some things I like since Vatican II I really miss the spirituality and Holyness of the pre-Vatican II Church.
My wife is Lutheran and I have become quite familiar with the various Protestant traditions and belief's over the years. And over the years it seems we Latins have become more Protestant in many ways. Unfortunately some of the ways just don't sit with me very well. It's kind of hard to explain. The theology isn't what bothers me it is the change in the way we build our Churches and the way we act in Mass etc. That kind of thing. I miss the old spirituality, The reverence. The quiet and respect before and during in Mass. Of coarse I haven't actually been to a Byzantine Church or EO Church yet but I feel I need to check it out.

Speaking as an Orthodox, I know how you feel. I have gone to many Latin Catholic and Protestant services and there is something missing. In the Orthodox Church, I believe you really feel the mystery and presence of God. When the priest brings in communion, you know it is something very special and sacred. There is a real respect in the East for the presence of God and the service brings this out.

JP that's the way it used to be with us too. But over the past 30 years it has all but gone. I don't see any attempt to moderate it either. It just dosn't sit right with me. But then neither does not being in communion with the see of Peter.
I'm gonna just let the Holy Spirit take me where God want's me even if it is to stay where I am.
God's will be done, not mine.

In most cases there is little need to be bothered wtih the formalities - one simply aggregates oneself to the parish of one's choice and allows the canon lawyers to scream to their hearts' content. Any Catholic can fulfill the Sunday obligation by attending the Eucharist in ANY Catholic "rite". Most parishes will be happy to have you. Those which are not happier, will not become happier even if you obtain an official-looking piece of paper. So go find a parish you like, and God bless you!
Incognitus

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I would like to make a few points but there are many threads on this topic so if you would like to peruse the archives you will learn a great deal.

There have also been a few threads of interest at the forums of the (Roman) Catholic Answers website. You will find that here [forums.catholic.com] .

The Eastern Catholic churches have their own code of canon law, 21 Sui Iuris churches (or more, depending upon how one counts them) share the same code! If you ever contemplate transferring to an Eastern Catholic church it would be a permanent change, there is a procedure for that, the discernment will take some time and the pastor will probably not bring up the subject, it would have to be on your own initiative. Transferring to an Eastern catholic church will not require a new Confirmation (Chrismation), becoming Orthodox would require you be re-Chrismated and possibly baptized again (depending upon where you might want to go).

The Eastern Catholic churches express theology in a way that is a close match to the Orthodox churches, that is not going to be changing at any time. The biggest difference between the Orthodox churches and the Catholic counterparts is that the Catholic churches recognize the authority of the Pope and accept that Western theology is an equally valid expression of the Faith.

Some Eastern Catholic parishes are heavily latinized, this is not ideal but the local custom is deeply ingrained in some places. If you notice Tridentine practices in the Divine Liturgy that will probably be why. Other Eastern Catholic parishes have already discarded most of the latinizations and will reflect their own traditions more completely; you might appreciate it either way.

When you determine which parish you would like to visit first, I recommend that you call ahead to the rectory during the week before. Introduce yourself and ask any particular questions that you might have.

Please keep in mind that the theology is expressed differently than you were taught as a Western Catholic. I personally find it more sensible and easier to explain.

The Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is used in the Byzantine churches, the liturgy beautifully expresses the theology, it is like a catechism in prayer! If you visit a parish that uses English that will become apparent almost immediately.

Good luck in your discernment,
Michael

Glory to Jesus Christ,

Welcome aboard St. Polycarp! If you begin to read through some of the threads you will learn a great deal here on this website, but the best thing you can do I think is visit the Byzantine Catholic Church and experience the Divine Liturgy first hand. You say you plan on doing that-- so I will be praying for you to discern what is best for you when you do. I hope you give it time and more than one visit. The truth is that, like me, it is likely you may want to keep coming back for more. It is longer than what you are used to and there may be the thought, "How can I get through it?" but eventually you will say, "I never want it to end."

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom goes way back and is very beautiful in and of itself. I grew up with the Latin mass in the Roman Catholic Churches before Vat. II, and the changes after Vat II. I like this much better than either.

There is plenty of, as you say, reverance in the Byzantine Church (including the reverence of icons), but I wouldn't consider the Divine Liturgy in the same category as the quieter pre-Vatican II days in the Latin church when not all of the people responded in Latin nor did many enter into the singing(still that way in some churches); and some brought rosaries to say silently before, during, or after the masses in lieu of participation (except for communion).

In the Byzantine Church the people are entering into the wonderful Praises of the Liturgy- which is the Work of God and the Work of the People, and done in a traditional and orderly way. (The traditon is Eastern, however, not Western) I often sense the sweet presence of the Spirit, (not that I didn't ever before, but this is pretty consistant and often.) There are times of silence/quiet before the Liturgy and before leaving the church at least that is so where we attend. A Byzantine gathering in the social hall usually follows and is usually joyful and full of lively conversations.

We would love to see you come to one of the Byzantine churches; and hopefully you will want to explore, and ask questions of the pastor, deacon, and people. I think you will enjoy the visit.

In the Names of Jesus and Mary,

Porter whose real name is Mary Jo and who, with her husband, is a Roman Catholic attending a Byzantine Catholic church.

Polycarp,

Welcome. As someone said, when it actually gets to the point that you're considering a Change of Canonical Enrollment, we've many prior threads here that will help.

At which Byzantine Church will you be attending Divine Liturgy? I notice you're from Long Island; that suggests Ukrainian to me (although there may be a Ruthenian parish out there somewhere.)

Many years,

Neil

The biggest difference between the Catholic Church (of any rite and/or tradition) and the Orthodox Church (of any rite and/or tradition) is that the theology (as well as ethos and praxis) of the Catholic Church is Affirmative, whereas the theology (as well as ethos and praxis) of the Orthodox Church is Apophatic or Negative.

Christ Is Among Us! Indeed He Is And Ever Shall Be!

Three Cents