I have read of a couple of instances where a Priest or a Deacon is authorised to practice in more than one Rite eg Marionite and Roman.

Can anyone explain how this happens and how it relates to Canon Law and the ministry in the various churches. eg Deacons may not preside at weddings in certain churches and the Deacon is exempt from from certain canons in the Latin Church which he is not in the Eastern Churches as far as I am aware.

Furthermore if a Priest, for example were authorised for Roman and Byzantine; Roman is easy because it is only the Latin Church that uses HOWEVER would he be authorised for all Eastern Churches which use the Byzantine Rite.

Can anyone advise?

Hugh

-- Hugh (hugh@inspired.com), January 09, 2004

Answers

Fr. Michael Skrocki, I believe that you told us that you are a bi-ritual priest, didn't you?
JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@Hotmail.com), January 09, 2004.

Hugh and John,

Yes I am a priest of the Melkite Church with faculties to function in the Roman Church.

Faculties can be given by any bishop. However, the faculties are only good for the Church in which they were given. So faculties in the Melkite Church, which is one of the Byzantine Churches, would not be valid say for the Ukranian or Ruthenian Church.

Faculties are only given to priests. There is no such thing as a bi-ritual deacon. A deacon is a deacon and can serve according to the custom/law of the Church. So a Roman Church Deacon could function in a Melkite parish (or of another Church) but would be limited in his functioning. For example, weddings. According to Roman Sacramental Theology it is the couple who exchanges the sacrament and the priest or deacon who presides merely serves as an official witness of the Church. According to Eastern Theology the sacrament is conferred by the blessing of the priest. Therefore a Deacon (whether Roman or Eastern) cannot preside at a wedding in an Eastern Church.

Hugh, is that enough to answer your questions or were you looking for something more?

Hope that's helpful.

-- Fr. Michael Skrocki, JCL (abounamike@aol.com), January 09, 2004.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer.

-- Hugh (Hugh@inspired.com), January 13, 2004.