Of course they are not. They are Catholics.
It comes across that way to me too. I have gotten the impression online that often Latin Catholics aren’t sure whether those “Eastern Catholics” are real Catholics.
Indeed. I think sometime I might collect a bunch of, well, interesting statements that have the words “Eastern Catholics” and substitute e.g. “American Catholics” or “Irish Catholics” (or likewise to substitute “America” or “Ireland” for the words “the East”) and see how those statements are received.
Indeed. I think sometime I might collect a bunch of, well, interesting statements that have the words “Eastern Catholics” and substitute e.g. “American Catholics” or “Irish Catholics” (or likewise to substitute “America” or “Ireland” for the words “the East”) and see how those statements are received.
lol but better notNow Peter, we all know that real Catholics pray in Latin…the fact that Eastern Catholics prayed in the vernacular even before Vatican II proves they’re all closet modernists!
Well, the liturgical language of Eastern Catholics is not necessarily “vernacular” - it may be some old-fashioned high-style language.Now Peter, we all know that real Catholics pray in Latin…the fact that Eastern Catholics prayed in the vernacular even before Vatican II proves they’re all closet modernists!
) Church Slavonic is still the official language. It has never been “vernacular” spoken in Russia.I know. I was being tongue in cheek.Well, the liturgical language of Eastern Catholics is not necessarily “vernacular” - it may be some old-fashioned high-style language.
E.g., in Russian Catholic Church (however rudimentary it’s existence is
Fwiw, when I read your post I thought it was a pretty good joke. (But then, I’ve found that pretty much every internet discussion forum I’ve been on has been a black-hole-of-humor.)
P.S. I could, of course, have simply said “with Western theology” for that example, but I felt like getting a tad fancy.
Peter, didn’t you know? Western is the default universal option, and Eastern peculiarities are OK as long as they don’t contradict the default.P.S. I could, of course, have simply said “with Western theology” for that example, but I felt like getting a tad fancy.
I get your point. I still stand by the essence of what I said (or should that be substance?
), but perhaps there’s a better way to word it. Latin Catholics and Eastern Catholics are in full communion. Thus it would seem apparent to me that we share a common faith. Various Councils and Popes have historically framed this common faith by promulgating dogmas that were formulated using Latin constructs. These dogmas were promulgated as matters of faith for the entire Catholic Church, so on some level they must expression a common faith, but the Latin formulations employed need no form part of Eastern church life. When an Eastern Catholic looks at these dogmas, can he accept the underlining faith without embracing the Latin theological basis? Put another way, is the Pre-Sanctification of the Theotokos an equally valid way of expressing what Latins call the Immaculate Conception? I think so.I think you hit on a key point there. For example, I don’t think anyone could claim that the title of this makes a false claim. I doesn’t make any claim at all in fact, technically, but only asks whether ECs are free to reject Catholic dogma. Nevertheless, readers will undoubtedly react with “Wha?” … just as they would if someone said “Are Western-Rite Orthodox free to reject Orthodox dogma?” (a question which, likewise, makes no false claims).
HI Peter J,
Ask away, JT! We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. You mentioned the Dormition (Assumption). The Byzantines observe a traditional two week fast in anticipation of the Feast. Good time to brush up on the Dormition.HI Peter J,
My experience may be isolated, but I did not begin to learn about Eastern Rite Catholicism until I was well into adulthood. In seeking to remedy my deficiencies, I have asked more than a few clumsily worded questions and I sincerely apologize for any hurt caused through my ignorance.
Part of the problem is that I don’t begin to know how ignorant I am until someone makes a new post about an unfamiliar (to my limited catechesis background) topic.
Until a few years ago, I had never heard of the dormition of Mary; I expect to spend the remainder of my life in catechetical catch-up: I have much to learn.
Many thanks to my Eastern brothers and sisters who have graciously endured my posts and questions and enriched my faith through their prayers and contributions at these fora.
May God bless us all.
Amen.
