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Thomas48
Guest
I was just curious, for those of you who have gone through Latin Catechism or ecclesiastical studies, are we Eastern Catholics ever mentioned?
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Trishie
Guest
Even at a primary school level in religious education classes.
Some mentions in the official Catechism of the Catholic Church
For the moment, I’ve just supplied two mentions, one which highlights some differences in customs and perceptions,
and one which underlines our deep connection.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a2.htm
Two traditions: East and West
1290 In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a “double sacrament,” according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the “myron” consecrated by a bishop.101
1291 A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.102 The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation.
1292 The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ’s Church. "
838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.“323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist.”
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm
Some mentions in the official Catechism of the Catholic Church
For the moment, I’ve just supplied two mentions, one which highlights some differences in customs and perceptions,
and one which underlines our deep connection.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a2.htm
Two traditions: East and West
1290 In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a “double sacrament,” according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the “myron” consecrated by a bishop.101
1291 A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.102 The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation.
1292 The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ’s Church. "
838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.“323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist.”
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm
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JamesTheJust
Guest
Eastern Catholicism is definitely in the curriculum, but, with the crisis of poor catechism we’ve been facing, it wouldn’t surprise me if many Latin Catholic children graduate without ever hearing about the beauties of the East and her traditions.
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YoungTradCath
Guest
Of course, it’s mentioned, but I estimate probably 95% of American Latins have no idea what it means.
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MorEphrem
Guest
I went to Latin schools for 14 years (mandatory “religion class” twice a week in elementary school and theology four times a week in prep school, as well as being made to attend confirmation classes so I was “included” even though I was Chrismated). We were never taught anything about the East, and whenever I would mention something from the Syriac tradition (since I was raised Maronite) people thought I’d be talking about some kind of “Muslim version” of Christianity. In prep school the theology professors were relatively well read but we still never learned anything about the Eastern Churches and I used to have my Armenian and Coptic friends at the same prep school tell me people would make similar ignorant remarks.
Even at an undergraduate level, Latins would always tell me the first time they ever heard of anything about the “East” was from myself.
Even at an undergraduate level, Latins would always tell me the first time they ever heard of anything about the “East” was from myself.
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on_the_hill
Guest
I went through CCD and two years of Catholic school.
No, unfortunately, there was never any discussion of it. Until I started checking on it as an adult, I simply assumed Eastern was synonymous with Orthodox.
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commenter
Guest
At my Catholic high school (1960s) there were a couple times when an Eastern priest would offer the liturgy for the whole school in their rite, with some explanation. Otherwise, only not much. In general, we did not learn about Eastern spirituality (Orthodox or Catholic).
Where I (a Latin Catholic) did learn about Eastern Catholic Christianity was when we had a chapter of Catholics United for the Faith in our area. Every year, we would hold two of our monthly meetings at local Eastern Catholic Churches. They would celebrate in their rite for our group, which included a couple Eastern Catholic members, either Mass or another service. Then sometimes the talk afterwards would be about some aspect of their heritage, either by their priest or someone else.
But true, it is a neglected area.
Where I (a Latin Catholic) did learn about Eastern Catholic Christianity was when we had a chapter of Catholics United for the Faith in our area. Every year, we would hold two of our monthly meetings at local Eastern Catholic Churches. They would celebrate in their rite for our group, which included a couple Eastern Catholic members, either Mass or another service. Then sometimes the talk afterwards would be about some aspect of their heritage, either by their priest or someone else.
But true, it is a neglected area.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
or might confuse it as being an orthodox church. i am familiar somewhat because an eastern catholic priest would often come to the church where i was received into the catholic church and he would assist at Mass.
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rfournier103
Guest
I have not. Most of my Catholic education was garnered here at CAF, and my wife’s RCIA class.
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Aramis
Guest
Not normally in youth education, but certain catechetical materials mention the ECCs in passing.
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nezzz
Guest
Nope, the first time I ever heard of Eastern Catholics was when I mistakenly attended Divine Liturgy in a Ukranian Catholic Church in Sydney during World Youth Day there, and that was in my early 20s.
Even in my undergrad years, when we discussed Eastern Churches with my university chaplain, it always referred to the Orthodox Church. Throughout my younger years, the religious brothers who taught us catechism never told us anything about Eastern Catholicism.
Even in my undergrad years, when we discussed Eastern Churches with my university chaplain, it always referred to the Orthodox Church. Throughout my younger years, the religious brothers who taught us catechism never told us anything about Eastern Catholicism.
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Elizium23
Guest
I spent 13 years in Catholic school in the 1980s and I don’t recall a peep about Eastern Catholicism. I was only vaguely aware of the Eastern Orthodox at all. After 11 more years outside the Church I came to find Eastern Catholicism only after dabbling with an OCA mission at the college campus. Investigating Eastern Christianity on my own on the Internet, I came to find Eastern Catholicism and found a Byzantine Ruthenian parish, very far away, where I traveled to worship several times, and I was hooked!
One thing that disappointed me was Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism series. We watched this in my parish’s adult faith formation classes, and Fr. Barron did such a great job of displaying the vast diversity of the Latin Church, but nothing at all to show us Eastern Catholicism. I stood up several times during group discussion just so I could bring up the Eastern Churches and make people aware of them. I think people making such documentaries need to make the general public aware of both lungs of the Church, or the Eastern Churches will be doomed to obscurity forever.
One thing that disappointed me was Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism series. We watched this in my parish’s adult faith formation classes, and Fr. Barron did such a great job of displaying the vast diversity of the Latin Church, but nothing at all to show us Eastern Catholicism. I stood up several times during group discussion just so I could bring up the Eastern Churches and make people aware of them. I think people making such documentaries need to make the general public aware of both lungs of the Church, or the Eastern Churches will be doomed to obscurity forever.
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RileyG
Guest
Nope, not even once. 
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Aramis
Guest
I’ll note that certain parishes in Anchorage do discuss the ECC’s with catechumens and candidates. It didn’t hurt that the canon lawyer for the Archdiocese was biritual, and one of three biritual priests (one of whom was canonically non-roman).
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Celticnovice
Guest
Back in college a Byzantine Catholic priest would come and con-celebrate Mass with the priests at the Newman center I attended.
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Kotton
Guest
Since most of the posters are far younger than me, I believe the lack of info is related to weak teaching starting in the '60s. The nuns told us about the Eastern Catholics but not having experience in that area we did not get deeply into the matter. Of course we had Catholic magazines and papers in the home, and I remember columns for asking questions about the Church. This was all in the '40s and I also had parents with good education in faith, plus I’ve read much since then.
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babochka
Guest
Perhaps it is regional. When I was in school (in the early 70s), the nuns weren’t even really sure I was Catholic. These sisters were presumably educated in the 50s.
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Miserissima
Guest
I never knew about all of the Churches until I joined CAF. I went to Catholic school, too, which had its own ethnic flavor, if you will.
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GunnerQuick
Guest
I never heard anything about the Eastern Rites while I was in RCIA, but that is probably because we were trying to learn our own Rite without confusing to many people.
That having been said when I get involved more with the program here next year I will make sure to make it a point, especially after having seen the beauty of the East.
That having been said when I get involved more with the program here next year I will make sure to make it a point, especially after having seen the beauty of the East.
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rciadan
Guest
I was an R.C.I.A. instructor for 6 years. I would always make sure that the candidates knew about the Eastern Churches, (and the TLM) and did my best to make sure they attended as many of the different ones as possible at least once. A few would visit at least one; maybe two. I met with a lot of resistance from both, clergy (whom I think did not want to “lose” anyone, and candidates, who I guess had already decided they wanted to be “Catholic” and thought that meant “Roman”,and did not want to get confused.
As God would have it,* I *am the one who ended up Byzantine!
As God would have it,* I *am the one who ended up Byzantine!
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