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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Should this couple be lectors	Martin	Friday, February 26, 2010
Question: If a couple who is very active in parish life, is always helping the priest especially when he needs a ride or has problems with his car but it is known by the whole parish that this couple is not married by the Church because an annulment was never obtained, can or should they be regular lectors during mass? The priest knows the situation about this couple. He also happens to know the ex-husband of the lady, (he has never married again and attends mass at the same parish) so I dont want to upset the applecart by going to the priest and telling him that I dont think its right. Is it OK or am I wrong in this respect. Thank you.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Martin: Well, first of al, technically,l these people are not Lectors. They are "readers". Lector is a term reserved to the Installed Office of Lector, a position which is reserved to men only appointed by the Bishop. With that said, no one who is living in sin should be allowed to perform any office or function in the Church. Cantors, readers, altar services, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should all be in good standing and in a state of grace at the time they perform the function. Those living in concubinage (living together as if married, but not married) are not in a state of grace and not in good standing in the Church and thus have no business performing the role of "reader." If it was me, I would discuss my concerns about this to the pastor, especially since, as you describe it, this situation is publicly known, but that is your decision. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Should this couple be lectors

Martin

Friday, February 26, 2010

Question:

If a couple who is very active in parish life, is always helping the priest especially when he needs a ride or has problems with his car but it is known by the whole parish that this couple is not married by the Church because an annulment was never obtained, can or should they be regular lectors during mass? The priest knows the situation about this couple. He also happens to know the ex-husband of the lady, (he has never married again and attends mass at the same parish) so I dont want to upset the applecart by going to the priest and telling him that I dont think its right. Is it OK or am I wrong in this respect.

Thank you.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Martin:

Well, first of al, technically,l these people are not Lectors. They are "readers". Lector is a term reserved to the Installed Office of Lector, a position which is reserved to men only appointed by the Bishop.

With that said, no one who is living in sin should be allowed to perform any office or function in the Church. Cantors, readers, altar services, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should all be in good standing and in a state of grace at the time they perform the function. Those living in concubinage (living together as if married, but not married) are not in a state of grace and not in good standing in the Church and thus have no business performing the role of "reader."

If it was me, I would discuss my concerns about this to the pastor, especially since, as you describe it, this situation is publicly known, but that is your decision.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum