On the basis of the Catholic doctrine concerning the sacraments and their validity, a Catholic who finds himself or herself in the circumstances mentioned above (nn. Rather, this situation is covered under norm 132 of the Eceumenical Directory which are much stricter.ġ32. However, this norm does not apply when approaching the minister of a non-Catholic Western Church in which the sacraments are valid. 844 §2 when approaching a minister of a non-Catholic Eastern Church in which the sacraments are valid, in order to receive the sacraments. Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage suggests, and provided that the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, it is lawful for any Catholic for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick from a minister of an Eastern Church.Īs we can see from the above norm, Catholics may enjoy the full benefit of Can. Within the Eceumenical Directory, we find parallel laws contained within the following four norms which clarify the intention of the legislator with regards to Can. The most important document that clarifies the mind and intention of the legislator is the Pontifical Commission for the Promotion of Christian Unity's "1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Eceumenism." (aka Eceumenical Directory). 844 §2 to receive the sacraments from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches they are valid. With this in mind, we must look at parallel laws to see what the legislator means by the term "Church" when granting permission under Can. Nor could one approach a validly-ordained non-Catholic minister who ministers the sacraments independently of the jurisdiction of a Church in which these sacraments are valid. For example, one could not receive the sacraments from a priest validly ordained within the Catholic Church who later defected from the Catholic Faith and now ministers within the Episcopalian ecclesial communion. The difference being that the sacraments must be valid owing to the denominational Church to which the non-Catholic minister belongs, and not merely from the validity of the minister's ordination. This is not a permission to receive the sacraments from non-Catholic ministers in whose churches the sacraments are valid. 844 §2, we see that the intention of the legislator, within the context of the canon, is to permit Catholics under certain circumstance to receive the the sacraments from non-Catholic ministers of Churches in which the sacraments are valid. Now if we apply these general norms to Can. In the case of the present Code, the legislator is the Holy Father. In cases of doubt, one should seek references elsewhere as to what was the purpose of the law, and the mind of the legislator in passing the law. This means that the canons must be understood according to both the text and the context in which they find themselves. If the meaning remains doubtful or obscure, there must be recourse to parallel places, if there be any, to the purpose and circumstances of the law, and to the mind of the legislator. 17 Ecclesiastical laws are to be understood according to the proper meaning of the words considered in their text and context. Secondly, we must keep in mind the following:Ĭan. This means that the canons contained within the code are legitimately interpreted by the Holy Father (and his successors) who legislated the Code, as well as those whom he has delegated to interpret the Code. 16 §1 Laws are authentically interpreted by the legislator and by that person to whom the legislator entrusts the power of authentic interpretation. The canon does not say that Catholics may receive the aforementioned sacraments from "non-Catholic ministers in whose *churches* these sacraments are valid." In interpreting this canon, it is important that we keep in mind the following legal norms outlined in the First Book of the Code of Canon Law:Ĭan. One notices that the word "Church" in the above canon is capitalized. 844 §2 - Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ's faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid. Most often, I am posed this question in reference to Can. As a canonist involved within the Traditionalist Movement, I am often asked whether or not a Catholic in good standing with the Church can lawfully approach a priest or bishop of the SSPX for sacraments.
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