Membership In Your Local Parish

Father Pisut,

Do you have to go to a parish close to where you live or can you choose a parish across town that is more orthodox?

Thanks,
Wendy

Wendy,

All parishes have boundaries into which all persons who live in that territory are the pastoral responsibility of the pastor of that parish. Some mistakenly believe that persons living in those boundaries must go to that parish. However, the emphasis in Canon Law is on the responsibility of the pastor toward the souls in that area (Catholic as well as non-Catholic). The normative place for a Catholic to attend is the parish for the canonical boundaries in which they live. The reality is that most Catholics have no knowledge of canonical boundaries and simply go the church that they prefer regardless of whether or not they reside within the boundaries. Sadly, there is the reality that in many parishes Catholics may not always have access to the fullness of the Catholic Faith and Liturgical tradition. This may range from small differences to places where some parishes are overtly dissenting from the Church and Her Liturgical tradition. Still, we must recognize that in all but the most extreme circumstances one who attends a Catholic parish anywhere is still living within the community of the Church and receiving valid Sacraments. It is also important to warn against the dangers of striving to find the most orthodox parish. One is that we can get so caught up in the search for orthodoxy (which is important) that we can obsess over issues that while important are not essential, as nice as they may be. The other danger is that for those who love the Catholic faith in all its fullness and who strive to live it, albeit imperfectly, is that if all go elsewhere then the local community is deprived of that witness. In the end, however, we are responsible for the salvation of our own souls. If one is a parent they have also the souls of their spouse and children to be concerned about as well. If one finds the authentic Faith (which they are entitled to) lacking in their own local parish they have every right to attend a parish where their souls are nurtured in the authentic faith.

Fr. Pisut