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Tomdstone
Guest
In the letter these bishops do not refer to Pope Francis as the Pope but as Head of State of the Vatican City.
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Tomdstone
Guest
The letter makes some extremely serious accusations.
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Vico
Guest
There has been division since at least the time of Photius (lived 810-891 A.D.) because it was not possible to get agreement after the first seven ecumenical councils.
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SteveVH
Guest
I find that this is true just from the majority of posts between Catholics and Orthodox on CAF. What I found amazing was the arrogant tone prevalent throughout the entire letter. Anyway, I couldn’t agree with you more. Sad. Very sad.
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Brandall
Guest
From what I can tell, the Catholic Church has very high respect for our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters. This letter makes me think that the respect isn’t mutual. At least as far as the authors of the letter are concerned.
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GiveTheTruth
Guest
The Kingdom of God in the NT is referred to as a mustard seed. In my humble opinion I think the Catholic Church is a prime example of this analogy while the Orthodox Churches sort of linger in the shadows. I think Rome had it right in terms of the Filoque. But as a Catholic I do visit occasionally a Greek Orthodox church close to my town, because they are so rich in beauty and breath-taking, and I find the icons very inspiring.
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Brandall
Guest
On judgement day, I wonder if there will be those that can’t enter through the narrow gate because they believed that the Holy Spirit only proceeded from the Father, or they believed that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son when it is only the father. I’m convinced the filioque isn’t as important as either side makes it to be.
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SteveVH
Guest
It isn’t. It’s just another example, according to the Orthodox, of how the CC went off the rails and abandoned the true faith.
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GiveTheTruth
Guest
Well, I would hope something like the Filoque would not keep people from entering the pearly gates. However, in my personal opinion, following Jesus’ teaching to judge the tree by its fruit, I think the Catholic Church got the Filoque right and is a demonstration of their being led by the Holy Spirit as the leaders of the Christian world.
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SteveVH
Guest
Yes. When I first started on CAF I expected there to be a great feeling of brotherhood between our two communions, considering how our Church speaks of the EO. I was truly shocked that this is a one way street.
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GiveTheTruth
Guest
It’s just further proof that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church. So many other denominations make whole sermons out of bashing the Catholic Church. I never heard once a Catholic Church leader ridiculing or belittling any other denomination to the point of utter distain.
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Novocastrian
Guest
The negative attitude has also been mutual in the past.Yes. When I first started on CAF I expected there to be a great feeling of brotherhood between our two communions, considering how our Church speaks of the EO. I was truly shocked that this is a one way street.
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SteveVH
Guest
Yeah, well the whole thing was a surprise to me.
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Kmon23
Guest
In some ways I understand the Orthodox and their attitudes, as the Orthodox technically did have to suffer through many heresies, and the obstacles they had to overcome. Didn’t the church in the first millennium also act very harshly against heresies, as to defend the apostolic truth? I have been told that the reason why Orthodox fight with such a loud voice is because they care about the truth of the church, to maintain the purity of doctrine and faith. Also, the sacking of Constantinople (even though it’s not Rome’s full fault to my knowledge) I think is impressionable in the Orthodox’s minds. Not just that, they’ve had to go through a lot of persecution and civil unrest. I honestly don’t blame them.Yeah, well the whole thing was a surprise to me.
At the same time, I have extremely high respect for the Catholic church in its efforts to unify Christians, especially in a time like now with secularism and atheism. It’s unique place in Western Christianity, it’s efforts to help the poor, to extends its hands to sinners and the sick, I applaud the Catholic Church for all that.
I really wish we could be united again. Even though we have theological and ecclesiastical differences, I’ve always viewed us as having received a shared apostolic heritage. I will always view the Catholic church as very close brethren.
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Abu
Guest
That is the reality in Jesus establishing only the Catholic Church – “to maintain the purity of doctrine and faith”, but also morals, with which He entrusted Her – to teach, sanctify and rule. That is why He gave St Peter His authority.
So the errors which have been allowed by the Orthodox are unorthodox (irregular) – the grave errors of permitting divorce and remarriage, denying the reality of the infallibility of the Pope and His supremacy, rejecting the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and allowing contraception need to be renounced to be faithful to Christ.
You can pray and work for that understanding which assents to ALL of Christ’s truths through His Church.
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Peter_J
Guest
Actually, I would guess there are plenty of Orthodox who speak of “non-Orthodox religions”.I was truly shocked that this is a one way street.
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scapularkid8
Guest
Is this the instance the Eastern believers were under imminent threat of Muslim invasion and were primarily seeking military aid from the West but the Pope received them as observers of a theological synod?..the synod was conducted in Latin in the form of Scholastic theology. The Eastern representatives understood neither.
I personally, from what I know, think there are areas of overlap between Catholic and Orthodox theology but it is hidden in linguistic and cultural misunderstanding which hasn’t been attempted to have been clarified through dialogue in the modern age where we have the luxury of speedy communication and knowledge of common languages. Example, being raised as a Catholic, I never understood the filioque to mean the Spirit is subordinate to the Son or generated by Him, but merely passed through Him as a conduit originating from the Father. As far as I know this is acceptable to Orthodox Trinitarian theology. So, am I in fact an Orthodox believer not by my Charismation and the bishop over me, but by my belief? The fact that I can conclude wondering that is a sign to me there could be ‘latent’ overlap.
Just my 2¢
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Kmon23
Guest
I honestly can’t say whether the filioque is orthodox or not (way above my pay grade) but just thinking that one is not subordinate to another is not really enough from an Orthodox point of view. The theology itself needs to reflect that, which is why for those who disagree with the Filioque think it subordinates the Holy Spirit, even if the Latin Catholics say otherwise.
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scapularkid8
Guest
Oh I see the position now. And yes, it’s definitely above mine too. Thanks for this perspective. I still feel as if there’s overlap obscured by terminology or even misunderstanding of terms. For example, in the West theology is an academic pursuit whereas in the East a qualified theologian is only qualified through practice and experience. This is a different understanding of the definition of theology itself which should be addressed.
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Randy_Carson
Guest
Me, too. Big time.Yes. When I first started on CAF I expected there to be a great feeling of brotherhood between our two communions, considering how our Church speaks of the EO. I was truly shocked that this is a one way street.
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