Q: A local catechumen is returning to their home state to care for an ailing parent. She intends to return here for at least 1 Scrutiny and the Easter Vigil. But she will not be around for the Rite of Election at all (including the week before/after, so a parish celebration is not an option).

I reviewed a number of options with the OCIA coordinator, such as moving initiation off of the Vigil and timing the other rites accordingly. But, if she wants to still celebrate initiation at the Vigil, (1) may she partake in the Rite of Election in the other diocese or (2) may the bishop here dispense her from celebrating the rite?

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A: God bless her for exercising Christian charity right within the family.

Best would be for you to contact the bishop’s office in that diocese to see if she could participate in the Rite of Election there. Alternatively, your bishop could delegate her pastor or deacon to preside for a Rite of Election in the parish at a convenient time. The bishop may dispense from one or two scrutinies, or she could ask to be included in the scrutinies at a parish in the other diocese.

Short of that, I imagine the bishop could dispense her from the Rite of Election, though I don’t see provision for that. It’d be much preferable to have it done in some way.

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