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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Holy Eucharist Bryan Thursday, September 13, 2007

Question:

I am currently geographically seperated from the sacraments simply because their is no priest around. We do have a Romainian Orthodox Priest available down the street, and my question is whether or not the sacraments are valid? What are the denominations that are communion with Rome? Thanks for your help.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Bryan:

For purposes of clarification for our readers, there are no denominations in communion with Rome. If a denomination was to be in communion with Rome, it would no longer be a denomination; it would be Catholic.

The question is what churches have valid sacraments. The Orthodox have valid Sacraments, thus a Catholic who cannot receive the Sacraments from a Catholic priest, may receive the Sacraments from an Orthodox priest.

Here is the Canon law on the matter:

Canon 844.2: Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests if, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

Thus, if it is impossible for you to received the Sacraments from a Catholic priest while you are in the location you are at, then you may receive the Sacraments from the Romanian Orthodox Church.

I would advise, however, that you contact the diocese offices for the place where you are located. Ask them if any priests are available in your community and to double-check about going to the Romanian Orthodox Church.

If you do not know your diocesan offices, you can look it up at this link. There are links for the various continents around the world, then specific dioceses with sample cities that are found in that diocese. From this you can locate your diocese by finding a city close to where you are at. Diocesan address is usually under the "General Information" column.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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