Catholic but non-Roman

[Anastasia13]

It was suggested to me once that I call myself Catholic but not Roman on another website. How would you react if an Orthodox did that? Would you agree or disagree? Would it bother you? Why?

 

[Hasire]

If a Catholic addresses me as “Eastern/Greek Orthodox”, I’ll address him as “Roman Catholic”.
If a Catholic addresses me as “Orthodox”, I’ll address him as “Catholic”.

 

[Lawrence178]

It was suggested to me once that I call myself Catholic but not Roman on another website. How would you react if an Orthodox did that? Would you agree or disagree? Would it bother you? Why?

I’d think you were an Eastern Rite Catholic if introduced like that. So maybe it isn’t the best thing to call yourself, but I certainly wouldn’t be bothered.

 

[dzheremi]

Why did they suggest you do that? That’s silly. Since you are Orthodox, you are already catholic by our common belief that we are the Church described in the Creed. I wouldn’t even add “Coptic” to a description of my faith if it weren’t for the fact that most people think “Orthodox Christian” automatically means EO. So I wouldn’t go around calling myself “Catholic” for similar reasons…at least not in mixed company.

 

[annastasia75]

It was suggested to me once that I call myself Catholic but not Roman on another website. How would you react if an Orthodox did that? Would you agree or disagree? Would it bother you? Why?

To call yourself Catholic sees inacurate to me, what advantage did the person who suggested it give. I don’t know that I would be bothered by it but more puzzled.
It has been the discussion on other web site that us Eastern Catholics are also Roman Catholics (altough not Lain Catholics) because we are in union with Rome and while this may be techincally true I would be surprised to hear another Byznatine Catholic refer to themselves as such. I would rather use the venacular and have other know what I mean that be legalistic.

 

[Zekariya]

It was suggested to me once that I call myself Catholic but not Roman on another website. How would you react if an Orthodox did that? Would you agree or disagree? Would it bother you? Why?

I don’t see anything wrong with you calling yourself Catholic as long as it is clear that you are Oriental Orthodox. This is mainly a matter of not confusing other people during discussions on forums. I consider the Catholics in communion with Rome as orthodox but, I would not use the term “orthodox” because it would confuse people.

 

[Apotheoun]

Why did they suggest you do that? That’s silly. Since you are Orthodox, you are already catholic by our common belief that we are the Church described in the Creed. I wouldn’t even add “Coptic” to a description of my faith if it weren’t for the fact that most people think “Orthodox Christian” automatically means EO. So I wouldn’t go around calling myself “Catholic” for similar reasons…at least not in mixed company.

I suggested the phrase to her on the other website, because the Roman Catholics at that site called her “non-Catholic,” which I told her was a false statement since she confesses in the creed of the Armenian Church that she is a member of the “one Catholic and Apostolic holy Church.”

I told her to say that she is Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

 

[Apotheoun]

I think that Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox should insist upon being called Catholic, because that term - properly understood - applies to them as members of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. After all, the one Catholic Church exists wherever the Eucharist is validly celebrated, and the orthodox faith is professed, under the auspices of a bishop in apostolic succession.

 

[BVMFatima]

Eastern Catholics should never be identified as Roman Catholic, because they are not part of the Roman Church, but the Ukranian or Maronite etc. To call Eastern Rite Catholics Roman Catholic can really offend them, especially since lots are trying to avoid Latinization ( which is present in some Eastern Catholic Churches). However, our Eastern Rite bretheren are in Communion with the Roman Catholic Church. None of the Sui Juris Churches are more Catholic than the other, we are all equal and One Church.

God Bless,
BVMFatima

 

[BVMFatima]

I suggested the phrase to her on the other website, because the Roman Catholics at that site called her “non-Catholic,” which I told her was a false statement since she confesses in the creed of the Armenian Church that she is a member of the “one Catholic and Apostolic holy Church.”

I told her to say that she is Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

If the Roman Catholics called her a " Non Catholic ", it is because they are either not aware of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which is what I am guessing since 98% of the Church is Roman Catholic, or it was pure ignorance.

God Bless,
BVMFatima

 

[BVMFatima]

If a Catholic addresses me as “Eastern/Greek Orthodox”, I’ll address him as “Roman Catholic”.
If a Catholic addresses me as “Orthodox”, I’ll address him as “Catholic”.

I would only address you as Orthodox unless we were being specific as to what tradition we were practicing, for example you belong to the Orthodox Church of the Serbian tradition, while I belong to the Catholic Church of the Roman Tradition

God Bless,
BVMFatima

 

[dzheremi]

I suggested the phrase to her on the other website, because the Roman Catholics at that site called her “non-Catholic,” which I told her was a false statement since she confesses in the creed of the Armenian Church that she is a member of the “one Catholic and Apostolic holy Church.”

I told her to say that she is Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

Sorry, my friend. I understand what you mean, but find it misleading in a multi-confessional environment. Of course, she is Catholic (and Orthodox) according to our common (Coptic and Armenian) confession, but this term has a different meaning among the non-Orthodox, so I think there are better/less confusing ways to make the same point.

 

[Apotheoun]

Sorry, my friend. I understand what you mean, but find it misleading in a multi-confessional environment. Of course, she is Catholic (and Orthodox) according to our common (Coptic and Armenian) confession, but this term has a different meaning among the non-Orthodox, so I think there are better/less confusing ways to make the same point.

I understand that the terms - as used colloquially - can be confusing, but on principle I thought, and still think, that it was important for her to stand up to those who were denying her catholicity by insisting that her Church is just as catholic as the Roman Church.

 

[Anastasia13]

If the Roman Catholics called her a " Non Catholic ", it is because they are either not aware of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which is what I am guessing since 98% of the Church is Roman Catholic, or it was pure ignorance.

God Bless,
BVMFatima

It was not ignorance on their part, and there are seminary graduates there. It is likely because I said a few stupid and ignorant things a couple months before I was changed to “Non Catholic.”

 

[BVMFatima]

It was not ignorance on their part, and there are seminary graduates there. It is likely because I said a few stupid and ignorant things a couple months before I was changed to “Non Catholic.”

Oh okay, thanks for elaborating

God Bless!,
BVMFatima

 

[Peter_J]

Sorry, my friend. I understand what you mean, but find it misleading in a multi-confessional environment. Of course, she is Catholic (and Orthodox) according to our common (Coptic and Armenian) confession, but this term has a different meaning among the non-Orthodox, so I think there are better/less confusing ways to make the same point.

I agree with you as far as not wanting to confuse people. But on the other hand, there are some times when a Catholic will *ask *an Orthodox person what his/her view of the matter is (as distinct from the Orthodox offering an unsolicited opinion), and in that situation I think it strange for the Orthodox to shy away from saying “We consider ourselves to be the Catholic Church.” (or however they would put it).

 

[dzheremi]

Absolutely, Peter. We are the Catholic Church. It’s just a matter of history that there is another, much more well-known body that is calling itself that, too, and we don’t want people to be any more confused than is necessary.

 

[BVMFatima]

Absolutely, Peter. We are the Catholic Church. It’s just a matter of history that there is another, much more well-known body that is calling itself that, too, and we don’t want people to be any more confused than is necessary.

Well if the Coptic Orthodox Church claims to be the " Catholic Church " then what are we who call ourselves Catholics here at CAF, where the majority are Latin and Eastern Rite Catholics who obviously do not belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church?

 

[dzheremi]

BVMFatima,

I am not here to cause conflict with anyone. I am stating the belief of my church, which, particularly in the context in which it is invoked (as per Peter J’s post that I was responding to), is right to state without reference to any other person or ecclesiastical body.

 

[Zekariya]

Well if the Coptic Orthodox Church claims to be the " Catholic Church " then what are we who call ourselves Catholics here at CAF, where the majority are Latin and Eastern Rite Catholics who obviously do not belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church?

There is Catholic in communion with Rome and and Catholic in communion with Oriental Alexandria. EOs are Catholic in communion with New Rome (Constantinople).