Parish membership
On the question about having to attend Mass and other Liturgical Actions in one particular parish (the one that is nearest to one's home), wouldn't the norm of canon 107 of the Code of Canon Law, combined with canons 102 and those that follow, implicitly mean that one should attend Mass at one's local Parish?
Canon 107, paragraph 1, states:"Through both domicile and quasi-domicile, each person acquires his or her pastor and ordinary."
This rule clearly stablishes who is one's parish priest (pastor), and Diocesan Bishop (ordinary), and it is based (general rule, with exceptions), on the criterion of domicile (thus, a territorial criterion).
I personally do not attend Mass at my parish, due to grave liturgical abuses. I attend Mass at an Abbey that is outside my parish and, until last year, was also outside the Archdiocese where I live (the Abbey was the only Territorial Abbey of the Americas, it has now lost Territorial status). The Liturgical Actions in this Abbey are very, very reverent, and they clearly give great importance to the respect for Liturgical Law.
For me, personally, it is very important to be in contact with the Authentic Liturgy. When I attend some Liturgical Action where abuses are perpetrated I get very, very angry. I have spiritual need of Authentic Liturgy. That is why I do not attend Mass in my parish
However, I have for several times questioned myself wheather this procedure is in keeping with Canon Law. (canon 107)
QUESTION from Antonio on May 1, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on May 7, 2004
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Dear Antonio, Quite honestly I don't know how to interpret this, I'm not sure if it really is the intention of the Church absolutely to REQUIRE people to attend the nearest parish. One exception that I can think of is language... in some areas there are various large groups who cannot attend Mass in English or Spanish.
Or it could be a generalization of a right. I would ask someone who has made a special study in Canon Law. Thank you, Mr. Slavek |