Catholic or Orthodox??

[jwehlitz]

I am an Episcopalian who is unhappy with the state of the Episcopal Church. I believe that the only options are the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

Unfortunately, both claim to be the one true Church; and both make reasonable sounding arguments as to why they, and not the other, are the one true Church. When I read conversion stories from either; the converts seem to have only investigated one or the other, but not both.

It would be very good to find writings by converts to the Catholic Church who examined Orthodoxy and explain why they rejected it. For that matter, it would be good to find writings by converts to the Orthodox Church who examined Catholicism and explain why they rejected it as well.

I’m actually more comfortable with the Catholic Church in many ways. Part of this is because the Catholic Church is part of the western culture that I’ve grown up in, while the Orthodox Church is culturally eastern and seems more foreign. Byzantine chant takes some getting used to; but on the other hand, I’ve been singing in Latin in choirs for over 40 years. Of course I shouldn’t choose the Catholic Church over the Orthodox Church just because I’m more comfortable with it.

I should mention more about my situation. Fortunately my wife is in complete agreement with me, so that’s one problem I don’t have. The complicating factor is that my 90 year old father has had to move in with us, and I really don’t see how we can expect someone at that age to make such a major change (he is also an Episcopalian); so we wind up feeling like we can’t really follow our conciences and make a change ourselves until after he dies. I’m certainly not in a hurry for that to happen. At any rate, it makes the situation more frustrating, especially as I’ve begun to consider the possibility that the Catholic and Orthodox Churches may actually be right about Anglican holy orders.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for doing so; and any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John Wehlitz

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear John,

Until the tenth century, the Orthodox churches acknowledged the primacy of the pope. There are historical reasons for the split. Though the figures are not up to date, the Original Catholic Encyclopedia gives a good account of how it all happened:

Eastern Schism

This gives an overall picture of the Eastern Churches:

Eastern Churches

As it stands, the various Eastern Churches tend to self-identify along national lines. When one joins such a Church, one joins does not receive a strong awareness of the universality of that Church. To be Russian Orthodox, for example, is to be a Christian with a Russian flavor. The very name implies this.

There is also a problem concerning church unity, not only with regard to Rome, but between the various Eastern Churches themselves. It is a sadness. This is not to look to the East in a disparaging way. Pope John Paul II considered Eastern Christianity as the other lung of the Church and spent much energy and offered many a prayer in the hope of bringing about unity. Perhaps it will only come about—one Christian at a time.
It sounds to me like the Holy Spirit is calling you home right now. I don’t see why you could not enter the Catholic Church while still taking your father to the Episcopal Church as long as he is able to attend services. But you know the situation better than I. Still, this is too important a matter with which to delay. Why not take the step and let the Lord help you to carry ii through. Don’t underestimate His activity in this matter.

You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.