www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Switching Ritual churches?

I know it involves going through the bishop but can anyone who has gone through it describe it step by step please?

David

I changed Churches and can say quite honestly that the process was really not all that complex. I began by attending a Byzantine Catholic Church, and did that for about 2 years before I was allowed to submit a formal request for transfer from the Roman Church to the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Church. In the request itself I had to supply general background information about myself, including baptismal and confirmation records, and then write a statement expressing my reasons for requesting the transfer, while clearly stating the fact that I was making this request freely, and that I understood it was permanent.

My request was approved and my transfer became effective on Lazarus Saturday in 2005.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

you have to be confirmed before transfer? and when you attended the byzcath church there where no restrictions as to participation /receiving the sacraments did you still attend your Roman Church?

David

Glory to Him forever!

I do not believe you need to be confirmed to make the transfer. You may even be able to request chrismation from the Byzantine priest right away, which is probably a very good idea anyway considering that you are an adult.

I was never confirmed as a Latin until I was 19 years old, in part because I left the Catholic Church to be a good Baptist at age 16. Quite frankly, the delay of confirmation until the teenage years is an absolute abuse on the part of the Latins, especially considering the fact that the fathers thought that one was not fully a Christian until Chrismation! Confirmation is no "rite of passage" or "Christian Bar/Bat Mitzvah". It is the seal and priestly anointing of the newly Baptized so that, properly vested in grace, they may enter into the assembly to celebrate and receive the Sacred Mysteries. The Mysteries of Initiation should culminate in the Holy Eucharist. The Latin practice of delaying for extended periods the reception of Chrismation/Confirmation is just one of a list of puzzling "developments" in pastoral practice bordering on the irresponsible. Especially since Vatican II called for restoring the original order!

Sorry - end of tirade. Speak to your local Byzantine priest or deacon about being chrismated as well as making the transfer.

God bless,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

thank you Father deacon I plan to this Sun.

by the way I'm only 14:)

LOL! Well, hurry up then!

Fr. Deacon Daniel

Ahh, is 14 the age where he can make that choice?
Or he is required to be older?

Well I'll try

I think he might need the consent from his parents, but I am not sure. Does anyone know the Canon Law on this matter?

I'm sure your priest will be a good guide for you.

thank you Father Deacon I figured as much and if confirmation is not required for the transfer itself could I receive first thing after my transfer?

David

This is now very much into the 'Ask your priest ' stage

DAVID:

Christ is in our midst!! He is and always will be!!

You mention you are 14 years old. What do your parents say about this? Do you face any opposition from them?

Aren't you in the midst of your catechetical formation in your Latin parish?

There is no problem with your attending a Byzantine Catholic Church as much as you wish withou making this kind of permanent change. I'm not trying to discourage your choice but wanted to counsel you as to some big implications that may occur in your adult life that are not so apparent to you right now. For example, the sui juris Church of the man is the one in which children in a later marriage are to be initiated. There aren't many Catholic women that I know of who would be willing to give up their tradition in such a situation. And you haven't even factored in the problem with inlaws raising Holy . . . Been there.

It seems that there are some big gaps in your consideration of this matter and it might be the bigger part of prudent judgment to do some more prayerful consideration of this type of move. It might come about later as you become an adult and find a spouse who would happily walk along with you. But for now . . .

And what will you list as your reason to the Latin bishop? Do you have sufficient maturity under your belt to make this type of decision at 14?

In Christ,

BOB

BOB,
Glory to Jesus Christ!!!
I understand your concern and no I never thought about marriage and I now the husbands church is the one in which the children are raised, but that hasn't crossed my mind. I've told my mom she has no opposition but she is lapsed. I haven't told my dad yet he's sick and so in his room in bed or at the hospital and so I don't talk to him much and why should they oppose it's Catholic. I currently am not undergoing catechetical formation but would start confirmation classes soon. I have been told I'm very mature for my age by many people weather I am or not I can't tell Some things I would tell my bishop in the letter is that I'm attracted to the Byzantine theology and spirituality and that I feel that my spiritual needs may be better met in the eastern church just to name a few. I was just wondering about the process yes I'm considering it but I haven't even been to an eastern church yet.

David

Dave,

I am undergoing the process right now, however, I was baptized and Chrismated in a BCC, unlike you.

Being as we have a 'new' priest, he was very confused when I initially started to make a request for the procedure. One of the the issues that most assuredly comes up and is very important is, "how long have you been a church-goer in a BCC". You say that you haven't set foot in one yet.

You live in Kansas, and it's a big state. Are there any BCC in your vicinity?

DAVID:

Glory be to Jesus Christ!! Glory to Him forever and ever!!

The post following your reply might give you something to think about. You might begin your pilgriamge to the East by attending the nearest Byzantine parish and being formed in the Byzantine spiritual tradition for a couple years. That might give you the needed reason to present to the bishops involved in the process.

My concern was simply that in the spiritual life one does not rush after anything. One learns to discern through a careful, prayerful process under the guidance of a seasoned spiritual father. It's a process of going beyond the surface to what both the East and West are trying to help people do: establish a deep, personal, growing, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Something, I might add, that the first priest who alerted me to this said most of the people in the church hearing his sermon probably didn't have.

The ritual tradition, the prayer rules, the fasting regimen, the liturgical life--all of these things are meant to help develop, sustain, and nourish the relationship with Christ. They are not ends in themselves.

In Christ,

BOB