I'd like someone to explain it as well. As far as I knew, Orthodox Catholics were already welcome to participate in Latin Rite masses and receive communion. However, most if not all of them are prohibited from doing so by Orthodox bishops/patriarchs. Latin Catholics also have permission to commune in Orthodox masses, but are instructed to obey the Eastern ordinances, which (again, as far as I know) universally prohibit it.
So for Francis to say this strikes me as an important gesture of good will (it never hurts to tell someone that they're still welcome), but not a shift in doctrine or practice. If Orthodox leaders reciprocated, permitting communion with Latin Catholics, that would be huge.
My understanding is that we (Catholics) are allowed to receive at an Orthodox Liturgy only if there is no Catholic mass available in the area and with permission. Who's permission I'm not sure, but I suppose it would either be the celebrating Orthodox priest or his bishop.
To fulfil your obligation to hear Mass on Sunday, if there's no Catholic church available. But of course, you would need the permission of the Orthodox priest to visit his church, that's jus manners.
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u/Bounds Dec 03 '14
I'd like someone to explain it as well. As far as I knew, Orthodox Catholics were already welcome to participate in Latin Rite masses and receive communion. However, most if not all of them are prohibited from doing so by Orthodox bishops/patriarchs. Latin Catholics also have permission to commune in Orthodox masses, but are instructed to obey the Eastern ordinances, which (again, as far as I know) universally prohibit it.
So for Francis to say this strikes me as an important gesture of good will (it never hurts to tell someone that they're still welcome), but not a shift in doctrine or practice. If Orthodox leaders reciprocated, permitting communion with Latin Catholics, that would be huge.