going to church outside my parish

[theculturewarrior]

Hello!

I looked in Canon Law and I also asked a Canon Lawyer on EWTN whether or not I could register at a different parish so that it would be my parish. (I needed to be released from private vows, and only my parish priest could do that). They said my parish is the church in whose territory I reside, and canon law gave no mention to registering in a different parish.

My question is, is it okay to go to Church outside of my parish on a regular basis? Would it be licit, moral, etc., to support another parish and not my own?

Thanks,

TCW

[cappie]

To my way of thinking there are 2 types of parishes.

One I would describe a a canonical or territorial parish. This is the parish to which every Catholic belongs. The other is what I describe a a "moral" parish in the sense that this is where I worship and I believe I truly give my allegience.

In my parish we have both of these types of parishoners. Some I might class as "refugees" from surrounding parishes. They are my parishoners to whom I owe a moral obligation to as much as my "canonical or territorial" parishoners.

Having said that, canonically, the people living in my parish have "first call" on my services. Also I cannot anoint anyone outside my parish without the permission of their parish priest except in emergency.

So it's not a simple choice. However if it were up to me I would say go for it if you are not happy, speak to the priest where you want to go.

Edited April 14, 2005 by cappie

[Cam42]

Sure...you are not canonically bound to the parish in which you are registered. Notice that for cappie, it is a different matter, because he is a priest. He has certain regulations that he must adhere to. You on the otherhand may be a "refugee." While it would be nice if you supported that parish, you are not sinning by going to St. Y as opposed to Holy X.

As a matter of prudence, if you are parish shopping....once you find the parish you wish to belong, register there and formally leave the parish you are currently registered at.

It makes it easier for diocesan census taking.....

(Example: Here in Detroit, the parish I go to, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, has many people who will drive up to an hour to get to Mass. The same holds true for my former home parish in Minnesota, St. Agnes. I know of some people who would drive from Owatonna in the South to Holly in the North. This is quite a distance....look up a map of Minnesota sometime, you'll be amazed.)

So, is it ok....yep. Prudent...probably....

Cam