Conversion questions from an EO

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Since I am EO, would I still have to go through RCIA? Also, would I have to abstain from communion until Easter? Since technically, I can take communion at an RC parish, how does this work. Could I confess, etc.
This is something I have been contemplating for a long time. It’s not something I can try and see, since it would place me in state of apostacy with sever penance, and it is something I do not take lightly. Even if I did have to attend RCIA, the communion issue is a big one, and frequency of communion is one of many reasons I am about to take this step.

I asked this in the “ask your question” here link, but it was never answered.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, SP
 
skinny_pumpkin said:
Since I am EO, would I still have to go through RCIA? Also, would I have to abstain from communion until Easter? Since technically, I can take communion at an RC parish, how does this work. Could I confess, etc.
This is something I have been contemplating for a long time. It’s not something I can try and see, since it would place me in state of apostacy with sever penance, and it is something I do not take lightly. Even if I did have to attend RCIA, the communion issue is a big one, and frequency of communion is one of many reasons I am about to take this step.

I asked this in the “ask your question” here link, but it was never answered.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, SP
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Coming from the EO church you would be received into the Catholic church in the Eastern church that is the closest to your EO church(Ukranian catholic church if your Ukranian Orthodox,Ruthenian catholic if your OCA etc.). Most Eastern catholic priest do not have an RCIA program. It would be best to speak to the local priest about it. Often Orthodox are recieved by a profession of faith and confession and communion.
 
ciero said:
Coming from the EO church you would be received into the Catholic church in the Eastern church that is the closest to your EO church(Ukranian catholic church if your Ukranian Orthodox,Ruthenian catholic if your OCA etc.). Most Eastern catholic priest do not have an RCIA program. It would be best to speak to the local priest about it. Often Orthodox are recieved by a profession of faith and confession and communion.
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Thank you ciero, but I have no intention of going to an Eastern Rite church. It would most likely be a TM (Tridentine?) parish or mass. I understand it would be best to speak with a local priest. But given experience, I would like to be prepared before doing so.

Thanks, SP
 
as an Orthodox, you wouldn’t really need the RCIA as you would know most of the basic stuff really. just speak to your parish priest so he can either instruct you himself or get you to someone who will acquaint you with the minor differences in beliefs

now you don’t necessarily have to move to an equivalent Rite in the Catholic Church, but that would provide the best transition for you as i believe there would be very little changes, if any. just approach the parish priest of the Rite of your choosing and ask for directions on how to come into the Church in that Rite.
 
Dear SP,
skinny_pumpkin said:
Thank you ciero, but I have no intention of going to an Eastern Rite church. It would most likely be a TM (Tridentine?) parish or mass. I understand it would be best to speak with a local priest. But given experience, I would like to be prepared before doing so.
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I just wanted to give you the heads up that it is more difficult for an Eastern or Oriental to become Latin (requires the approval of both the Latin and Eastern/Oriental bishop) than the other way around (requires only the approval of the Eastern/Oriental bishop).

I second brother Ciero’s statement - an Orthodox can be received into the Catholic Church by profession of faith and confession. You shouldn’t have to go through RCIA.

Finally, though I agree with you that frequency of communion would be the best reason to join the Latin Church, I hope you are fully apprised of the distinctions between Latin and Eastern theology, and are at peace with them.

Blessings,
Marduk
 
skinny_pumpkin said:
Since I am EO, would I still have to go through RCIA? Also, would I have to abstain from communion until Easter? Since technically, I can take communion at an RC parish, how does this work. Could I confess, etc.
This is something I have been contemplating for a long time. It’s not something I can try and see, since it would place me in state of apostacy with sever penance, and it is something I do not take lightly. Even if I did have to attend RCIA, the communion issue is a big one, and frequency of communion is one of many reasons I am about to take this step.

I asked this in the “ask your question” here link, but it was never answered.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, SP
Click to expand...
Hi 🙂 I converted from Eastern Orthodox to Catholic. I didn’t need RCIA, but I did meet up with the priest and he gave me materials to read. I needed to make a profession of faith, go to Confession, and receive Communion in the Catholic Church on Easter in order to become Catholic. However, this doesn’t have to happen on Easter. 🙂 yes, you should abstain from Communion until you make your profession of faith in the Catholic Church.

I know what you mean about “apostasy”… many EO told me I’m leaving the one true Church, etc, it was very painful and difficult to deal with, but I felt God leading me to Catholicism so strongly. Pray about this… I am now glad that I became Catholic and I don’t see myself as an “apostate”, - I went from imperfect communion with the Church (as an Orthodox) to perfect communion (as a Catholic). Jesus told Peter, “you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My Church…” - and now I’m in communion with Peter. 🙂

It might help to read this article…
catholic-pages.com/pope/hahn.asp

also if you do become Catholic, you can still attend Divine Liturgy at an Eastern Catholic Church and keep all your traditions (the Jesus prayer, icons, etc). Or, if you feel more drawn to the Latin rite, like I was, you can attend a Roman Catholic parish, whether TLM or NO. Keep in mind that if you become Catholic you will be an Eastern Catholic officially, so speak to your priest about this… I don’t live near any Eastern Catholic parish, so I got permission to attend a Roman Catholic parish and keep Roman Catholic fasts and feast days. In any case, as a Catholic you can receive Communion in any Catholic church of whatever rite 🙂

Some things I love about the Catholic Church is Adoration, the availability of daily Mass, and the teachings on our Blessed Mother. I also love reading about the Saints - both the East and the West have awesome Saints, but never knew about the Western ones till recently.

God bless 🙂
 
ciero said:
Coming from the EO church you would be received into the Catholic church in the Eastern church that is the closest to your EO church(Ukranian catholic church if your Ukranian Orthodox,Ruthenian catholic if your OCA etc.). Most Eastern catholic priest do not have an RCIA program. It would be best to speak to the local priest about it. Often Orthodox are recieved by a profession of faith and confession and communion.
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I became Catholic at a Roman Catholic parish because I don’t live near any Eastern rite parish… also because I feel Roman Catholicism is the best place for me.

I suggest talking to a priest about all this 🙂 even if you become Catholic at a Roman Catholic parish, you would still be Eastern Catholic “officially”… however, you can get permission to practice as a Latin, or you can transfer to the Latin rite. (I got permission, and am thinking of transferring in the future.)

My bishop said that I can transfer, if I want.
 
choy said:
as an Orthodox, you wouldn’t really need the RCIA as you would know most of the basic stuff really. just speak to your parish priest so he can either instruct you himself or get you to someone who will acquaint you with the minor differences in beliefs

now you don’t necessarily have to move to an equivalent Rite in the Catholic Church, but that would provide the best transition for you as i believe there would be very little changes, if any. just approach the parish priest of the Rite of your choosing and ask for directions on how to come into the Church in that Rite.
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Approaching a priest and asking is a big deal. I would have to confess it. Inquiring here or other places is less grave. I appreciate the Eastern Rite recommendation, but I have no desire to convert into that. There are many reasons. I have no RC parish priest to approach.

I am interested, though, how a typical traditional priest would handle it, or what is the formal protocol. I just want a heads up on this.

“How are my sacraments handled?” is maybe how I should have framed this. Would an RC priest receive my confession, for instance?

Thanks choy, SP
 
My family converted from EO 3 years ago and we had to do RCIA. My daughter was at Boston University at the time and they told her she didn’t have to do RCIA. She did it because we did it. Go figure. Depends who you ask I guess. I actually liked RCIA. Great philosophical discussions and did some networking.
 
Thanks everyone.

Your replies have been very helpful and supportive and just great to hear. Monica, thanks for taking the time and interest.

God Bless you all, SP
 
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