Angering an Orthodox Priest - Have I Sinned?

[ErichK]

Over the past year I had been looking into the Russian Orthodox faith. Throughout the course of the year I had a constant battle with whether or not it was the right thing, and that I should become Catholic or at least research the religion.

Upon researching Catholicism in-depth, I found that it’s something culturally and spiritually more fulfilling that Orthodoxy. I sat and thought about what I should do for the past two weeks (which I had also been doing for the entire year), and ultimately, I chose to follow and convert to Catholicism, being that it was the choice that I felt in my heart to be the right decision.

I had gone back and forth about four times total in the past year with Orthodoxy and deciding whether or not it was right for me. Part of the reason, also, was that I couldn’t afford the $20 per week at times it costs to drive to a ferry and cross the Puget Sound to get to the island which the Orthodox monastery I went to is located.

I finally told the priest, through email the other night, that I felt Orthodoxy wasn’t for me and apologized, and that I should convert to Catholicism instead. He responded to me saying only “Yes, here we indeed go again. You are being very unstable and allowing yourself to fall into demonic temptation.” He also removed me as a friend on Facebook, which I was extremely surprised by, and can only come to the conclusion that I had made him extremely upset.

Have I sinned? He is a priest-monk, and someone who I held great respect for and who helped me immensely for the past year. And now, it seems, I’m not even welcome back to the church anymore.

Being that the priest is also, in many ways, a mediator between man and God, does this mean God is upset with me? Do I need to confess? How can I be certain that this will not haunt me until the day of Judgement? (I.E. What can I do to be absolved of this?)

 

[stinkcat_14]

I don’t think you have sinned in the slightest. Just because someone is a priest doesn’t mean that it is necessarily wrong to offend them.

 

[1ke]

No, you have not sinned and you have not offended God.

You didn’t do anything wrong.

This priest obviously has some personal problems. He is human and acting very immaturely. Move on.

 

[twf]

This particular Orthodox priest may have a particularly strong prejudice against Catholicism (as, sadly, many Orthodox Christians do). From a Catholic perspective, we essentially share the same faith, and little keeps us from full communion. Some Orthodox Christians agree with this perspective, but others feel that Catholics are heretics and devoid of grace. Based on what you have told us, you have not sinned. Yes all priests are deserving of respect, and yes priests are mediators between man and God, but you are not in any way under the spiritual authority of this particular priest. If you have come to believe that the Catholic Church, that is, those churches in full communion with the Holy See of Rome, comprise the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ, then you are morally compelled to embrace her fully. It would in fact be a grave sin for you to abandon the Catholic faith, which is the faith of Christ, over the personal feelings/opinions of one Orthodox priest! While his a validly ordained priest, he is not in full communion with the Bishop of Rome and thus has no spiritual jurisdiction over you.

If you ever do feel called to the “East” again, keep in mind that there are also the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Eastern Catholic Churches maintain the traditions, devotions, liturgies, and theology of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, but are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter, upon whom Our Lord built his Church.

Welcome home!

May our most holy Mother Mary intercede for you.