[Petrosius]

I think that your concern of the need permission to change rites is really one of form over substance. Although permission is needed to formally change rites, any Catholic can worship in a church of any rite that he chooses. I believe the whole question of the need for permission to change rites was actually instituted in order to protect the smaller Eastern rites from their rapacious Latin brothers. In other words, it was instituted to prevent exactly the activity that x5452 was worrying about.

[Kolokotronis]

"I believe the whole question of the need for permission to change rites was actually instituted in order to protect the smaller Eastern rites from their rapacious Latin brothers. In other words, it was instituted to prevent exactly the activity that x5452 was worrying about."

Huh! Never thought of that! I first heard of this from a Latin Rite Catholic who wanted to change rites and was denied, at least for the time being. But I see your point, which makes good sense, given the history of the Latins with the Eastern Rite types in this country.

I've actually seen something like this with some Roumanians. They are or were "Orthodox" but when their kids got to be school age and they wanted Catholic School for them, they quite suddenly moved over to the Latins...and got the tuition discount! Truth be told, under the circumstances I'd say we suffered no great loss nor the Latin parish any great gain! :)