|
Landmarks of the Young Rite
This
document is a third draft statement in an attempt at defining what the Young Rite
is and stands for.
1. Introduction
In order for a group to be
able to be formed and to operate within the tradition of The Young rite, three parties are
involved:
 | A Bishop who is prepared
to confer all sacraments including Holy Orders
|
| A group of persons
wishing to operate according to the principles of The Young Rite and wishing to avail
itself of the services of the Bishop above.
|
| One or more celebrants
who are authorised to celebrate the public services of the group.
|
The question that arises
is, what exactly is the tradition of The Young Rite. As The Young Rite is an avid advocate
of freedom, universality and the authenticity of own experience, only ground principles
can realistically be stated. These ground principles are defining in nature. They provide
the identity by which one can ascertain that it is indeed a group or bishop operating
within the Young Rite tradition. Any such defining principle is immutable. The collection
of the immutable defining principles forms the landmarks of the Young Rite.
2. A Bishop of The
Young Rite
A Bishop of The Young Rite
is a man or a woman who subscribes to the following principles and meets the following conditions:
2.1 Has been consecrated
in the Apostolic Succession
A Bishop needs to have
undergone a valid Baptism, Confirmation; have had all the minor (Cleric, Doorkeeper,
Reader, Exorcist, Acolyte) and major (Subdeacon, Deacon, Priest) orders conferred; and
have been consecrated to the episcopate according to the liturgy of The Liberal Catholic
Church or according to the liturgy of The Young Rite. If there is any doubt as to the
validity, all of these sacraments may be conferred sub-conditionae by a Bishop of The
Young Rite.
2.2 Leads a clean life
A Bishop leads a clean life. Preferably he or she does not
smoke, consume alcohol or use drugs. A Bishop preferably has a vegetarian diet and enjoys sexual relations only within the context of a committed,
one-on-one relationship.
2.3 Subscribes to esoteric
Christian principles
A Bishop subscribes to the
Summary of Doctrine of The Young Rite and believes in an esoteric, rather than a literal
interpretation of the Scriptures and the Christian tradition.
2.4 Confers Holy Orders
A Bishop is required to confer Holy Orders up to and including
the priesthood on any adult applicant, whether man or woman, who requests ordination, as
long as this candidate has been baptised, confirmed and has had all prior ordinations
conferred. All orders up to and including the Deacon ordination may be conferred during
the celebration of the traditional form or an experimental form of the Holy Eucharist,
whilst the ordination to the priesthood and the consecration to the episcopate may only be conferred during the celebration of the
traditional form of the Holy Eucharist.
2.5 Confers Sacraments
A Bishop confers any of
the sacraments (other than Holy Orders - see 2.4) to any person who requests such
sacrament, whilst always abiding by the laws of the country in which they are conferred
(note especially laws regarding marriage).
2.6 Authorises Liturgical
forms
Experimental forms are
encouraged, however, a Bishop formalises and authorises the experimental form into a
liturgy in such a way that the sacramental integrity is to the best of the Bishop’s
knowledge maintained. Official liturgies are ratified by all the bishops of the Young Rite
by consensus.
2.7 Authorises celebrants
A Bishop ensures that
those who he or she authorises as celebrants (see 4.) are thoroughly trained, not only in
the technical aspects of the celebration, but also in the exercising of proper intent.
Only when entirely satisfied does the Bishop authorise that
such a person may celebrate during public services.
2.8 Is not remunerated for conferring sacraments
A Bishop is not remunerated for the conferral of any sacrament.
A Bishop may accept a contribution towards expenses incurred and charge a reasonable
hourly rate for services held outside the regular schedule of public services.
2.9 Termination
Any Bishop may, at any
time and without the obligation of providing a reason, honourably terminate his or her
service as a Bishop of The Young Rite. A Bishop is morally required to terminate his or
her services if he or she is no longer able to subscribe to the landmarks of The Young
Rite.
3. A Circle operating
in the tradition of The Young Rite
A Circle operating in the tradition of The Young Rite is a
group of men and women who subscribe to the following principles and meet the following
conditions:
3.1 Membership
Any adult, whether man or woman, may become a member of the
Young Rite.
3.2 Holds public services
All public services are open for all to attend, whether member
of the Young Rite or not.
3.3 Adherence to liturgy
All are encouraged to not only participate, but also to help
generate alternatives which may be tested in experimental services and assist in the
evaluation of these alternatives. However, it is the Bishop who is required to formalise
the Liturgy. During a public celebration of any service, the authorised version is to be
adhered to.
3.4 Trained celebrants
Sacraments may only be administered by those authorised to do
so. This means that besides the Bishop, only those who have received the ordination to the
priesthood may provide -and when these have been respectfully requested the conferral of
these sacraments may not be refused- the sacraments that fall within the ambit of the
priesthood. All who have received the ordination to the priesthood may celebrate the
Eucharist privately in their home oratories. However, only those priests who have been
authorised as celebrants may celebrate the public services of the group.
3.5 Exacts no fees
A group operates from voluntary gifts and contributions. No fee
may be exacted from any person for the administering of any sacrament. If a service is
requested that falls outside the usual service schedule, it is reasonable that those
requesting the service cover the (extra) expenses incurred in order to make this service
possible.
4. A Celebrant of The Young Rite
A Celebrant of The Young Rite is a man or a woman who
subscribes to the following principles and meets the following conditions:
4.1 Has been ordained to the priesthood
A Celebrant needs to have undergone a valid Baptism,
Confirmation; have had all the minor (Cleric, Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist, Acolyte) and
major (Subdeacon, Deacon, Priest) orders conferred by a bishop consecrated into the
Apostolic Succession. If there is any doubt as to the validity, any or all of these
sacraments may be conferred sub-conditionae by a Bishop of The Young Rite.
4.2 Leads a clean life
A Celebrant leads a clean life. Preferably he or she does not
smoke, consume alcohol or use drugs. A Bishop preferably has a vegetarian diet and enjoys
sexual relations only within the context of a committed, one-on-one relationship.
4.3 Subscribes to esoteric Christian principles
A Celebrant subscribes to the Summary of Doctrine of The Young
Rite and believes in an esoteric, rather than a literal interpretation of the Scriptures
and the Christian tradition.
4.4 Has been authorised as Celebrant
A Bishop is required to only authorise a priest as a celebrant
when the priest is adequately able to show that he or she has been properly trained and
meets the requirements (guidelines are published on the web site). Such authorisation is
in writing.
4.5 Confers Sacraments
A Celebrant confers any of the priestly sacraments to any
person who requests such sacrament, whilst always abiding by the laws of the country in
which they are conferred (note especially laws regarding marriage).
4.6 Is not remunerated for conferring sacraments
A Celebrant is not remunerated for the conferral of any
sacrament. A Celebrant may accept a contribution towards expenses incurred and charge a
reasonable hourly rate for services held outside the regular schedule of public services.
4.7 Termination
Any Celebrant may, at any time and without the obligation of
providing a reason, honourably terminate his or her service as a Celebrant of The Young
Rite. A Celebrant is morally required to terminate his or her services if he or she is no
longer able to subscribe to the landmarks of The Young Rite.
4.8 Revocation
In principle an authorisation does not expire. An authorisation
may be revoked if it is evident that celebrant no longer meets the standards expected of a
celebrant. The authorisation is automatically revoked when a celebrant resigns his or her
membership of the Young Rite.
|
|
