Conversion to Eastern Catholicism

[ChristianVII]

(Note my inexperience before reading by this.) I’ve always appreciated Eastern aesthetics, and seeing as Eastern Catholic Churches are in full communion with Rome, and therefore can lead to salvation, why not convert to Eastern Catholicism? One objection I’ve received is that the Eastern Catholic rites are esoteric, and they obviously appear to be ethnic-based. So I wonder, how easy is it to convert to Eastern Catholicism and is Roman Catholicism better for a convert? Also, what are the benefits of being an Eastern Catholic when not tied by ethnicity or marriage to the parishioners (if any)?

 

[adamhovey1988]

I think you’re Lutheran, are you not? Catholic is Catholic, Union with the Pope is Union with the Pope. It’s not the East is right or west is wrong, or the West is right and East is wrong , it’s just different ways of expressing things. Some people prefer the Eastern way, Some people prefer the Western way, I’m right in between.

 

[DeniseNY]

Here’s an article you may find of interest

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/...s-through-the-byzantine-catholic-church-95523

By the way, I’m Ruthenian. Our history and ethnicity shapes who we are, but it’s not an impediment to joining the church. For a little history (at least on Ruthenians) see the attached:

Archeparchy of Pittsburgh History | Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

One objection I’ve received is that the Eastern Catholic rites are esoteric

The Eastern Catholic Churches are no more esoteric than the Roman Catholic Church. As the Fathers at Vatican II emphasized in Orientalium Ecclesiarum, “They [the Eastern Catholic Church] have the same rights and obligations, even with regard to preaching the Gospel in the whole world.” And Pope St. John Paul II wrote in Orientale Lumen, “Since, in fact, we believe that the venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern Churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ’s Church, the first need for Catholics [i.e. Roman Catholics] is to be familiar with that tradition, so as to be nourished by it…” (emphasis mine).

If Eastern Catholicism is truly “esoteric”, then it’s teachings and traditions would be restricted to a small group, and Vatican II and the popes since then wouldn’t be encouraging either our growth (by fulfilling Christ’s mandate to preach the Gospel to all nations), or Roman Catholics to become more intimately familiar with our teachings and traditions.

So to the first objection: No. We are not esoteric. And if we are perceived as such, it’s likely because we are simply such a small minority in Western countries.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

and they obviously appear to be ethnic-based

This is a very real problem that both Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox must struggle to overcome. Happily, at least in the case of Eastern Catholicism, many of our bishops have recognized this problem and openly spoken out against the ethnocentric mentality of many in their flocks.

Among the Melkites, I remember reading writings from several past bishops (and their current bishop) that said, in a nutshell, if we restrict ourselves to preserving ethnicity, then we doom our Church in this country to eventual extinction.

The Maronites adopted this same mentality, although less explicitly, by quietly working to translate as much of their liturgical tradition into the local vernacular (English here in the U.S.) as they could in a very short period of time.

Our parishes aren’t meant to be safe-havens for ethnic minorities - they aren’t “ethnic clubs” as I’ve heard one bishop say. Each parish, as the local expression of our particular Church sui iuris exists for the sole purpose of proclaiming Christ to the nations. If we aren’t doing that, then we have no reason to exist.

 

[Elvis_George]

The Syro Malabar church is yet to do so. I don’t think we’ll face extinction or anything, but it will lead to a decline if we don’t some preaching or accept non Indians

 

[adamhovey1988]

I went to a Syriac Orthodox church with my mother , and we were the only people there that were not Asian Indian. (My actual ethnic background is much more complicated) they were very welcoming, no one treated us any differently than anyone else, and I made it very clear that I am always going to be Catholic. I think, with some of the more ethnic churches in Eastern Christianity, that’s a really good way to treat your guests. I think, that they took the universality of the Church quite seriously. Although, they are not Catholic they do hold on to some aspects of the apostolic faith. And actually, the Catholic Church has quite a few agreements with them. I’m not from India, so I don’t remember what kind of Syriac Orthodox they are, what it would be called, but it was kind of nice to be there, and their liturgy was quite beautiful. I think that’s something to remember, is that the Church is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is, it doesn’t matter what your first language is, it doesn’t matter what your socioeconomic class is.