Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => General Discussion => Topic started by: tcdvt on July 29, 2012, 07:39:03 PM
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Hello, I have a question regarding how traditional seminaries interpret canon law. I know under the code of canon law (1917), illegitimate children are barred from holy orders, with four factors that can overrule illegitimacy.
So here are a few questions and some background.
For starters, I am not sure if I would be considered "illegitimate" under canon law. I was adopted but I have no reason to believe that my biological parents either were or were not married. I would imagine not, but I don't believe there is any way for me to find out either way.
Now for the second part. I was raised Catholic. My mother is Catholic, my father is not. I was baptized, received the sacraments and was raised in the faith. I do not know if my parents' marriage would be considered Catholic under the 1917 code, since my father is not Catholic.
With these two factors, would I be barred from pursuing a vocation to the priesthood? (Disclosure, I am a sedevacantist.)
I know one portion of the canon states that solemn vows reverses illegitimacy. If, under what I described, would that provision be applicable in my situation?
Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!
I do plan on writing the seminary and order I have been discerning with but I thought I'd ask here too.
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For starters, I am not sure if I would be considered "illegitimate" under canon law. I was adopted but I have no reason to believe that my biological parents either were or were not married. I would imagine not, but I don't believe there is any way for me to find out either way.
Illegitimacy, or defectus natalium, as a perpetual impediment established by ecclesiastical law prohibiting the reception of Sacred Orders or the exercise thereof (cf. Can. 968) as set forth in Can. 984, no. 1, may not apply to your case because doubtfully illegitimate children are not to be considered as irregular by reason of this Canon.
Now for the second part. I was raised Catholic. My mother is Catholic, my father is not. I was baptized, received the sacraments and was raised in the faith. I do not know if my parents' marriage would be considered Catholic under the 1917 code, since my father is not Catholic.
It may be considered a "mixed marriage," as far as I understand it (and I do not understand well marriage in the context of Canon Law, so please consult someone else on this matter), but the important thing is that you were baptized and raised as Catholic.
Since you profess yourself to be sedevacantist, I would counsel you to write to Mater Dei Seminary or the Saint Joseph Minor Seminary (depending on your age) for further information to get a morally certain and weighty opinion upon this matter.
http://www.cmri.org/cmri-vocations.html
http://www.cmri.org/minorsem.htm
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Source: Canon Law: A Text and Commentary, by Rev. Frs. Bouscaren and Ellis (Milwaukee, WI: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1957).
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Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the info. My father isn't Christian and I think mixed marriage only applies when a parent is of another Christian sect. Thank you for the links as well.
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I know someone who was adopted and went to the seminary under the 1917 code. he has been a priest for many years now.