www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Typica Services (with Communion) and Latin "Sunday Obligation"

For those deacons, subdeacons or authorized laity engaged in the mission field, this may be a familiar question from local Latin Catholics:

"If I attend your Sunday Typica services authorized by your Eastern Catholic bishop, does that fulfill my Sunday obligation as a Latin Catholic? I mean, if there is a Latin Catholic parish nearby, should I attend Mass there as well?"

We have been running into this question quite a bit lately with two missions in particular.

If you have faced this, or if you are familiar with this question, I'm curious as to the answer you would provide. Canonically, it appears to be something of a hybrid of issues crossing the "canonical codes"...

- The Mass is available within a reasonable distance in a Catholic rite

- A bishop of a particular church has authorized this to fulfill the worship obligations of his flock (and, by extension, to all Catholics of other rites who attend).

Are there any particular canons which you have found to be helpful?

God bless,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

Not really much help from the Latin canons since another Latin-rite Mass is available to them. The particular law for the UGCC in the USA helps for Greek Catholics, since it allows Vespers, Matins or the Divine Liturgy to suffice, but is not applicable to Latins.

Since the Latin ordinary is the competent authority as stated in Latin canon law for dispensing liturgical obligations for Latins, you will have to obtain this from him. I am in the process of dealing with this issue for our apostolate as well. Contact me (you know how... ) and we can discuss particulars.

Fr. Deacon,

How can a bishop who does not have jurisdiction over a Latin Catholics dispense them from their Sunday obligation? He cannot. A Latin who has access to Mass/Liturgy cannot fulfill his obligation at Typica/Vespers/Matins or a Latin Liturgy of the Word/Communion Service for that matter. Conversely if no Mass/Liturgy is available the obligation is removed and attendance at some Sunday service is praiseworthy but not obligatory.

http://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur23.htm

I think the difference is the Latin Code defines the obligation as Mass (if available) or nothing at all. The Eastern Code allows the Divine Office (of which Typica is part) to fulfill one's obligation when Divine Liturgy is not available. I think this was placed in the Code specifically with the diaspora in mind so that lack of a priest would not entail automatic attendance at a Latin Church and therefore assimilation of Eastern Catholics into the Latin Church.

Fr. Deacon Lance

As I recall the particular law for the BCCA does not provision for anything other than the Divine Liturgy. The UGCC Pastoral Guide did spefically provide for the Divine Praises or Divine Liturgy in the particular law.

Back to the question - any Latin bishop can specifically dispense his faithful regarding obligation. In the case of Typica with Presanctified Holy Communion, the Word is heard, a sermon is preached (hopefully) about the Word, and the Holy Mysteries are made available for those who approach - it is up to the Bishop if, in the interest of having his faithful at least encounter another particular Catholic Church, he wants to allow this to meet the obligation of his faithful.

It was not in the particualr law, but the bishops send deacons out to parishes when a priest isn't available to perform Typica with Holy Communion and an official edition is being prepared by the Liturgical Commission so I think the provision is implied and possibly on the horizon for being added to the particular law.

Brothers,

This discussion has been most helpful. Diak, I left a message at your home. I look forward to hearing from you!

In ICXC,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

The requested document was sent. Prayers for your success.