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Hello,my kids were just chrismated in the Byzantine church,yaay!I come from the Roman church but have attended the byzantine church for some time now.My question is this,if my kids were baptized Roman Catholic but chrismated in the Byzantine church does that make them oficial Byzantine Catholics?Your help would be appreciated! :rolleyes:

It is my understanding that you must have changed from the Latin Rite to the Byzantine Rite in an official manner. Attending a byzantine rite parish doesn't make you a member of that ritual Church until you decide to make the official change.

I find hard to understand how was that your kids were chrismated in the Byzantine Catholic Church while being Roman. Many Roman Rite christians have found a home in the Byzantine Church, where, while being still Roman, the byzantine parish can provide the traditional liturgy and confessiosn for those who wish to attend it. However in many cases it is not possible for them to receive the other traditional sacraments like baptism for children or weddings without the intervention of the Roman parish that "corresponds" to them.

They are expected to be registered in their regular local parish, to support their parish, and to make use of their parish for the religious education of their children and for the reception of the Sacraments, and if they are allowed to marry or have their kids baptized in the byzantine parish, they may be required to attend the marriage talks or the baptismal cathechesis of the regular Roman parish.

The case of chrismation is also special because now, many Roman Bishops hold a different understanding of the sacrament and nowadays they no longer chrismate babies. This is why, if I am not mistaken, as chrismation in the Latin Rite is (still) given by Bishops only, if your kids are Roman you would need to talk to the Bishop before, and he can say no. Well, I am just working with my imagination. Every situation is different :p

That's why the official change of rite is recommendable.

My whole family is registered at the Byzantine church.My 6 year old recieved first holy communion and chrismation there as well.So as far as the paper work is concerned,everything seems to be in order.I do plan on making a formal change of rites in the future.I was just curious about the situation of my kids.
A few Roman Catholics have had their babies baptised there without a formal change of rite though they have been attending for a few years.I guess I need to do a bit more research.

I make no pretense of understanding the nuances of canon law, but I would say, "No." Up to the time of the chrismations, the children would be members of the latin Church and bound by canon law of that church. The relevant canons would be 111 and 112.

Can. 111 (1) Through the reception of baptism a child becomes a member of the latin Church if the parents belong to that Church...

Can. 112 (1) After the reception of baptism, the following become members of another autonomous ritual church:
1: those who have obtained permission from the Apostolic See;
2: a spouse who, on entering marriage or during its course declared that he or she is transferring to the autonomous ritual Church of the other spouse...
3: the children of those mentioned in nn. 1 and 2 who have not completed their fourteenth year...
(2) The practice, however long standing, of receiving the sacraments according to the rite of an autonomous ritual Church, does not bring with it membership of that Church.

-- Ed Klages

So I guess I need to change rites then.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

What shocks me is that the Byzantine pastor didn't have you change ritual Churches before the Chrismation of your children. According to the Law in both Churches, if I am not mistaken, the children follow the Rite of the parent, father first then mother etc., so basically your chilren are Latin unless determined otherwise by the Judicial Vicars of both ritual Churches.

But again check with your priest; your best bet is to consult with him.

Ok. God Bless.

In Christ,

Robert

I will change rites as soon as I can,the plan is to do it before the year is over.At least submitt the request for a formality.I will consult the parish priest for further clarifications.thanks!

Dear to Christ Remie,

As a Note of Clarification, Any Sacrement can be properly recieved from any Valid Catholic Minister. That includes Confirmation\Charismation, Marriage and Annointing.

Since Valentino is technically a Roman, Roman Canon Law applies.

Since all Byzantine Priests, under Authority of the their Bishop, can properly confer Confirmation\Chrismation.

AND ,Though Valentino is 'technically' not within the Priests territory, the Priest is operating within THEIR OWN Eparchy and with full consent of their Bishop. So everything is FULLY 100% Legitimate and Proper.

Valentino and children are still members of the Latin, but that doesn't mean they cannot recieve any Mystery their soul requires from the Byzantine Church.

And their 'Parish' Church is independant of their Rite. No Canon in any of the Churchs requires that a person of one Rite must transfer Rites before becoming a member of the Parish Church in another Rite .

The faithful are responsibile to support their parish, whatever parish they faithfully attend. And the parish priest to whom they give support, is in turn required to provide for their spiritual guidance, including training for the Mysteries.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan