Glory to Jesus Christ!

Ok, so it seems this headline has been around once or twice before.

But now there is a new celebration.

Subdeacon Gregory Loya was ordained to the diaconate on May 29 by His Grace, the Most Reverend John Kudrick at the Cathedral in Parma.

Concelebrating were Fr. Tom Loya, Fr Joe Loya, Fr. Jack Loya and Fr. Joe Loya.

The six altar servers for the Divine Liturgy were the sons of Deacon Gregory.

Axios! Axios! Axios!

Fr. Deacon El

Axios!

Somehow, I can't help wondering just how many presbyters the Ruthenian Church has lost because of its refusal to ordain married men.

In fairness, it might not be inappropriate to note that the Particular Law enacted by the Ruthenian Metropolia envisions the ordination of married men to the priest. It was Rome that refused to accept this canon. Something about the leopard never losing his spots comes to mind!

May God grant Fr Deacon Gregory and his ministry many blessed years!
Mnohaja Lita!

The particular law now in force allows the Metropolia to ordain married men to the presbyterate on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the Holy See. However, as far as I know, not one single case has ever been brought forth for approval, nor has any indication been given by the Metropolia that it is willing to consider (seriously) the ordination of a married man.

This stands in marked contrast to the Ukrainian Greek Catholics, the Melkites and the Romanians, all of whom have been ordaining married men to the presbyterate in the United States and Canada for more than sixteen years.

The conclusion, therefore, is it is not the objections of the Holy See, but the unwillingness of the Metropolia that prevents any movement on the matter.

I believe in 2006(?) Bishop John (Kudrick) of Parma ordained Dn. Joseph Marquis, a married man, the Presbyterate.

People:

Can you not find another thread in which to post commentary on the Ruthenian Particular Law as regards the ordination of married men and allow this thread to celebrate the ordination of Deacon Gregory and the extraordinary contribution of his family to God's service? Just to emphasize the inappropriateness of the commentary, I see nowhere in the reporting of this by Deacon El that Bishop John has declared his intent that Deacon Gregory will not, in time, advance to the priesthood!

Addendum: Nor do I see anywhere that Deacon Gregory has indicated that he believes his vocation to be to the presbyterate - with neither factor present, the discussion is both inappropriate and irrelevant to the thread

Many years,

Neil

I'll put money on it, Neil. There's a name for married Ruthenian deacons promised a shot at the presbyterate. They're called Ukrainian Greek Catholics (although I also know a few now called Carpatho-Rusyn Orthodox).

Axios Fr. Deacon Gregory!

Axios!