Q: Question regarding OCIA.
For candidates being received into full communion at any point (not danger of death), since the bishop is the expected minister to receive the candidates to full communion, if it is done by a priest, would the priest need to get permission according to the order?
For catechumens receiving the sacraments of initiation outside of the Easter Vigil, since priests have faculties by law to confer the sacraments of initiation to catechumens, does the OCIA order expect a permission request if done anytime outside of the vigil? (no danger of death)
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A: See canons 883 §2 and 885 §2.
The priest does not require permission from the bishop to confirm a baptized candidate whom he receives into the full communion of the church at any time of year. (In fact, Fr. Riley pulls his hair out any time some priest asks for this permission.) Not only MAY the priest confirm, he MUST confirm on that occasion. This also applies when the candidate is a child of catechetical age.
A priest wishing to baptize an adult or child of catechetical age outside the Easter Vigil needs permission from the bishop. If the bishop consents, then the priest should expect to conduct a rite of election six weeks before the baptism, as well as the three scrutinies. It’s more than just the initiation sacraments.
See OCIA 34 §2, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. You may also find 331 good to know.