So when the priest says I absolve you,it is Jesus who is saying I absolve you. 3. The doctrine of ex opere operato does not mean they are magic rituals; it means that the power of the sacrament has nothing to do with the (un)worthiness of the minister. Has God promised to grant grace through the sacraments even when they are administered invalidly? : 1 Corinthians 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2; , joined to Christ (see , I. After all, scrupulosity will always raise the doubt: but if Im not validly baptized, I didnt receive the gift of the Spirit, and I cant truly receive the Eucharist (you can eat it, of course, but the spiritual fruits are inaccessible to the unbaptized or unbelieving), etc. about this most serious canonical penalty. Again, to worry about this is thinking of the sacraments as magic. "Let the Church provide" has itself made good any defects in Does that count? As such, unlike some Vatican documents, it is part of his ordinary Magisterium. Im a Catholic convert with a lot to learn still, so please excuse my ignorance. Though ordination confers the ability for a cleric to be able to celebrate certain sacraments, some sacraments require the additional grant of a faculty in order for the sacrament to be celebrated validly by the ordained person. He was exacting, but fair. While were on the subject, its important to understand what the Church doesnt supply. First and foremost, it doesnt supply holy orders. If a non-cleric administers a sacrament, and the minister of the sacrament must be a cleric for validity, canon 144.1 is of no use. This is why all the confessions, confirmations, and marriages celebrated by the unbaptized Father Hood were invalidand in these cases nobody can claim that Ecclesia supplet, because it doesnt. Important to note that the case of common error and positive Church law honors the principle that in certain circumstances, ecclesia supplet: "the Church supplies.". The desire to receive confession, coupled with perfect contrition, provides the necessary grace. Matthew 18:17 N-DFSGRK: NAS: to them, tell it to the church; and ifKJV: tell [it] unto the church: butINT: tell [it] to the church if moreover, Matthew 18:17 N-GFSGRK: NAS: even to the church, let him be to you as a GentileKJV: he neglect to hear the church, let him beINT: also the church he fail to listen to let him be, Acts 5:11 N-AFSGRK: NAS: over the whole church, and over allKJV: upon all the church, and uponINT: all the church and upon, Acts 7:38 N-DFSGRK: NAS: This is the one who was in the congregation in the wildernessKJV: in the church inINT: in the congregation in the, Acts 8:1 N-AFSGRK: NAS: against the church in Jerusalem,KJV: against the church whichINT: against the church which [was] in, Acts 8:3 N-AFSGRK: NAS: [began] ravaging the church, enteringKJV: he made havock of the church, entering intoINT: was destroying the church by the, Acts 9:31 N-NFSGRK: ' NAS: So the church throughout allKJV: Then had the churches rest throughoutINT: indeed then churches throughout all, Acts 11:22 N-GFSGRK: NAS: the ears of the church at Jerusalem,KJV: the ears of the church whichINT: ears of the church which was, Acts 11:26 N-DFSGRK: NAS: they met with the church and taughtKJV: with the church, andINT: in the church and taught, Acts 12:1 N-GFSGRK: NAS: belonged to the church in order to mistreatKJV: certain of the church.INT: of the church, Acts 12:5 N-GFSGRK: NAS: fervently by the church to God.KJV: without ceasing of the church unto GodINT: by the church to, Acts 13:1 N-AFSGRK: NAS: there were at Antioch, in the church that was [there], prophetsKJV: there were in the church that was atINT: the being church prophets and, Acts 14:23 N-AFSGRK: ' NAS: for them in every church, having prayedKJV: in every church, and had prayedINT: for them in every church elders having prayed, Acts 14:27 N-AFSGRK: NAS: and gathered the church together,KJV: had gathered the church together,INT: having gathered together the church they declared all that, Acts 15:3 N-GFSGRK: NAS: being sent on their way by the church, they were passing throughKJV: by the church, they passed throughINT: by the church passed through, Acts 15:4 N-GFSGRK: NAS: they were received by the church and the apostlesKJV: of the church, andINT: by the church and the, Acts 15:22 N-DFSGRK: NAS: with the whole church, to chooseKJV: with the whole church, to send chosenINT: all the church having chosen men, Acts 15:41 N-AFPGRK: NAS: strengthening the churches.KJV: Cilicia, confirming the churches.INT: strengthening the churches, Acts 16:5 N-NFPGRK: NAS: So the churches were being strengthenedKJV: were the churches establishedINT: indeed Therefore churches were strengthened in the, Acts 18:22 N-AFSGRK: NAS: up and greeted the church, and went downKJV: saluted the church, he went downINT: having greeted the church he went down to, Acts 19:32 N-NFSGRK: NAS: thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusionKJV: for the assembly wasINT: indeed the church confused and, Acts 19:39 N-DFSGRK: NAS: in the lawful assembly.KJV: in a lawful assembly.INT: the lawful assembly it will be solved, Acts 19:41 N-AFSGRK: NAS: this he dismissed the assembly.KJV: spoken, he dismissed the assembly.INT: he dismissed the assembly, Acts 20:17 N-GFSGRK: NAS: to him the elders of the church.KJV: and called the elders of the church.INT: elders of the church. On that level, no one can be absolutely certain that any sacraments they have received are valid, just as you cannot be absolutely certain that you arent living in an illusion. 2. All Rights Reserved. Q: You mentioned in Invalid Baptisms and Unaccountable Clergy that when Father Hood [of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan] discovered that his own baptism was invalid and he was not a priest, that meant all the weddings, confirmations, and anointing of the sick which he had celebrated were invalid too. Tags: baptismCongregation for the Doctrine of the FaithEcclesia suppletex opere operatosacramentsscruplesSt Augustinevalidity, Where Peter Is 2023. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. If so, what does it matter what the priest says? This Both refer to people preparing for baptism but who happen to die before the scheduled day. Heres an old, but interesting and directly relevant exchange between Catholic priests, with a real-life example of an elderly and confused priest who consecrated the Host at Mass, but then forgot to say the words of consecration over the chalice. Apparently a second priest wrongly assured the questioner that Ecclesia supplet in this case; but input from a third priest rightly notes that what was missing here was not a faculty (which isnt needed to celebrate Mass validly anyway! No. In other words, ecclesia supplet does not and cannot supply for the lack of a required proper person, proper matter, proper form, or proper intent necessary for the valid celebration of a sacrament. In the past Cathy has published articles both in scholarly journals and on various popular Catholic websites, including Real Presence Communications and Catholic Exchange. 144 1. Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., is an American canon lawyer who practices law and teaches in Rome. In canon law it is used narrowly to deal with doubt or error regarding matters of jurisdiction (CIC 144 1). He has a Ph.D. in Theology and Religious studies from The Catholic University of America, specializing in historical theology and early Christianity. If we want to see our friends in heaven, we have to do everything we can to make this message clear to them. Thus, since the June 2020 Response of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dealt only with clarifying the proper form of the baptismal formula, ecclesia supplet does not apply. The first principle is called Ecclesia supplet, which in Latin means the Church supplies. In sacramental theology, the principle means that the Church supplies whatever is lacking due to human error. A church is a large, bureaucratically organized religious organization that is closely integrated into the larger society. On a certain level, this is reminiscent of the long-debated topic in epistemology (a branch of philosophy) about how we can know we arent dreaming or otherwise living in an illusion. The first is the ecclesia, a large, bureaucratic religious organization that is a formal part of the state and has most or all of a states citizens as its The Church does not supply grace where grace is lacking. Rite Questions: Can unblessed water be added to holy water to increase the amount of holy water? I also know that if others dont know Him because Ive failed in my duty to proclaim the Gospel to them, my own salvation is in grave jeopardy. Just because the Church can supply this missing element, it does not necessarily follow that the sacrament should not be re-administered correctly when possible. ; with added, 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; , Romans 16:16; with mention of the place, as , , etc. That is the problem with this mentality. July 30, 2009 in Catholic Open Mic. This is stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and even italicized for emphasis: God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his own sacraments (CCC 1257). Web1. Provided they have lived good lives and have not in any way gone against the Church who is the bearer of Truth and Salvation. ASK FATHER: Our old, misused friend, Ecclesia supplet, Catholic News Live shutting down after 9 years. Damnation can only come about through free human choice to sin gravely. How does this square? It means that the grace of a sacrament is independent of any considerations regarding the worthiness of the minister. In factual or legal common error and in positive and probable doubt of JoAnna, Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers, "should prove to be a highly He is the author of Genesis and Cosmos: Basil and Origen on Genesis 1 and Cosmology (Bible in Ancient Christianity 14; Brill, 2019). We also know that God desires all people to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). but I submit all to the ultimate judgment of the Catholic Church. CanonLaw.info and this Blog, Receive The ordinary power of governance can be either proper or vicarious. Remember that one guy in class, who didnt seem to follow the rules, who slacked off, and who failed? These words paraphrase St. Augustine, who argued that, There is in Christ such uniqueness that, although many ministers may baptize, whether righteous or unrighteous, the sanctity of baptism cannot be attributed to anyone except the one upon whom the dove descended, of whom it is said, He is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit (cf. A 2007 blog post by anti-Francis canonist Ed Peters seems to imply that the principle of Ecclesia supplet is limited to this canon. Why Doesnt The Church Bar Pro-Abortion Politicians From Communion. Hmmm. This sort of scenario constitutes a doubt of fact, since the written delegation isnt 100% clear. If the pinch-hitting priest does celebrate a wedding at that parish on August 31, canon 144.1 will definitely apply (again, well see how in just a moment), and thus Ecclesia supplet. As Jesus says: The Spirit blows where it wills (John 3:8 RSV). What Happens When the Clergy Refuse to Baptize, Because of the Virus? Remember that other guy who didnt seem to get things right, turned in sloppy-looking work, and was always the last one in the room struggling with the exam, but who somehow managed to get a passing grade? When Can a Layperson Be a Pastor of a Parish. Remember asking, and being told it really isnt any of your business? Secondly, in the situations described by canon 144.1 the Church does not supply proper form or matter, in sacramental celebrations where either was invalid. For example, as we saw in Is My Confession Valid, If the Priest Changes the Words of Absolution? altering the words of absolution can invalidate the sacrament of Penanceand there is nothing that canon 144.1 can do about that. Similarly, if a priest were to use invalid matter for Mass (see The Eucharist and Sacramental Validity, Part I and Part II for the requirements), the Mass would be invalid and canon 144.1 would not apply. That requires performing the works of mercy (salvation) or obstinate perseverance in mortal sin (damnation). PO Box 385 He answers the question posed, and then sometimes elaborates, qualifies, or goes beyond the surface to comment on other things. Agradezco su aclaracin. The Church supplies the faculty. Herodotus 3, 142) down, an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating: Acts 19:39. It sounds more like doubt of fact to me, e.g.). Part II, such is not the case, because there are some sacraments routinely celebrated in every Catholic parish on earth which require more than that. The sacraments of Penance (discussed at length in Can All Priests Always Hear Confessions?) and Marriage (see Why Would a Wedding in Our College Chapel Be Invalid? and Why Cant These Priests Ever Celebrate a Valid Catholic Wedding? among others) require not only that the minister of the sacrament is validly ordained, but also that he have the faculty required by law to celebrate the sacrament. And only in certain specific circumstances does a priest have the faculty to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, addressed in Can a Priest Administer the Sacrament of Confirmation? which was already cited above. Winers Grammar, 50, 4a. That would certainly square with my understanding of a loving and fair God. book. those who anywhere, in city or village, constitute such a company and are united into one body: Acts 5:11; Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Philippians 4:15; 3 John 1:6 (cf. So far, so good. But now lets pretend that the person doesnt diein fact, he lives for another 23 years! Later medical advances subsequently help both doctors and the public at large to understand that certain conditions which were once thought to amount to a deathbed situation may look frightening, but arent life-threatening at all. Back when this elderly relative was thought to be dying, that thought was just plain wrong. b. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake; aa. continental Europe's approach to the many canonical issues that Hauled out on a regular basis to cover up the faults and foibles of the all-too-human elements in the Church. Such priests had betrayed the holiness of their office and, as such, could not pass on holiness to others through the sacraments. Nothing was said about whether the Church is or is not able to supply what is lacking. WebEcclesia [mediaeval Latin, and Greek - from : SUMMONED] -A regularly convoked assembly, especially the general assembly of Athenians. Careful here. What does this term mean? It might be hard to believe, but there are plenty of frustrated canonists out there who sometimes wonder exactly the same thing. The references in the Code of Canon Law to power of governance and executive power can sometimes (though not always) be hopelessly murky, mostly for theological/philosophical reasons having to do with the nature of power and the origins of authority in the Churchand their arguable connection, or lack thereof, to reception of the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is a topic which has left many a law student wanting to bang his head against the wall, as any broad generalizations and basic rules about how it works invariably have to admit multiple exceptions. In short, if the concept confuses you, that may simply mean youre looking at it correctly.
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