In the US most dioceses require a "suitability letter" sent from the priest's diocesan chancery to the diocese where a travelling priest wishes to celebrate the Sacraments.
It is a drawn out process in some places but respects the priest, his privacy and is not "hackable."
In the US most dioceses require a "suitability letter" sent from the priest's diocesan chancery to the diocese where a travelling priest wishes to celebrate the Sacraments.
It is a drawn out process in some places but respects the priest, his privacy and is not "hackable."
Speaking personally, I HATE the suitability letter system, and would much prefer this card.
When I travel, I have to plan out every Mass weeks ahead of time and get in touch with a whole slew of different priests to ask "permission" to concelebrate Mass (a permission Can. 903 does not allow them to deny, but not everyone realizes that). I would much prefer the flexibility that this card offers, of being able to walk into any sacristy 10 minutes before Mass and suit up, as is possible in Europe. I hate not being able to be spontaneous on vacation.
There are nuances. Most exactly, if I can prove I am a priest, they must allow me to celebrate Mass in the church. But it does not have to be a specific Mass or a public Mass. They can give me a side altar at 7:00am if they really want, but it is usually easier just to allow me to concelebrate.
I'm afraid to ask, though it is a stupid idea.
In the US most dioceses require a "suitability letter" sent from the priest's diocesan chancery to the diocese where a travelling priest wishes to celebrate the Sacraments.
It is a drawn out process in some places but respects the priest, his privacy and is not "hackable."
Speaking personally, I HATE the suitability letter system, and would much prefer this card.
When I travel, I have to plan out every Mass weeks ahead of time and get in touch with a whole slew of different priests to ask "permission" to concelebrate Mass (a permission Can. 903 does not allow them to deny, but not everyone realizes that). I would much prefer the flexibility that this card offers, of being able to walk into any sacristy 10 minutes before Mass and suit up, as is possible in Europe. I hate not being able to be spontaneous on vacation.
Does canon 903 really say they must let you concelebrate?
There are nuances. Most exactly, if I can prove I am a priest, they must allow me to celebrate Mass in the church. But it does not have to be a specific Mass or a public Mass. They can give me a side altar at 7:00am if they really want, but it is usually easier just to allow me to concelebrate.
I'm not that fond of the letter system as a deacon, either.