Do you support union of Catholic and Orthodox Churches?

[spn82756]

I don’t think a union will be possible because the orthodox churches do not accept the doctrine of the catholic church like a priest not to marry and also honouring Mary as the Mother of God.

Eastern Rite Catholics have married clergy. Geesh! Latin Catholics have married priests. Where have you been.

Orthodox also believe in Mary as the Mother of God.
Theotokos (Greek: Θεοτόκος, translit. Theotókos) is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants use the title Mother of God more often than Theotokos. The Council of Ephesus decreed in 431 that Mary is Theotokos because her son Jesus is one person who is both God and man, divine and human.[1]

 

[Silyosha]

YES, there needs to be a reunification council. We all need to pray for it to happen.
I have a quick question for our Orthodox brother and sisters posting on this board: What kind of conditions do you believe need to be met in order to restore the unity between the East and the West, taking into account that the Catholics will not change their view about the papacy and the Orthodox won’t change their view on it either? I’ve heard plenty of Catholics comment on this, saying what they think should happen, but what do you think? Sorry if this is off topic.
Silyosha

 

[spn82756]

I often pray for reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches

What is more of a hurdle for reunification, Papal Infallibility or Papal Supremacy? And is the Catholic Church willing to bend, not break, any of these teachings?

Papal supremacy is definitely a stumbling block…but there are theological differences also. I never saw the filioque as a major stumbling block…but an Orthodox poster on another thread presented why it was to him.

We can only pray that somehow the Holy Spirit can lead to a solution that men will accept.

BTW…for me the filioque is something that will take great work to iron out. The Pope…not so much. John Paul II may have tried to set the stage for that.

 

[Ignatius]

I don’t think a union will be possible because the orthodox churches do not accept the doctrine of the catholic church like a priest not to marry and also honouring Mary as the Mother of God.

You need to do a little homework, The Orthodox have celebate priests and completely honor Mary the Theotokos (Mother of God). The biggest issue is that they believe that they accord the Pope primacy of honor but not authority.

The results of this poll (including the available selections) reveal an appalling ignorance of the faith and teachings of our Orthodox brothers.

 

[Holly3278]

I’m not an Eastern Catholic but I did vote. I voted for the first option.

 

[pipper]

I don’t think a union will be possible because the orthodox churches do not accept the doctrine of the catholic church like a priest not to marry and also honouring Mary as the Mother of God.

You are not correct. #1 the celibacy of Catholic clergy is only a church discipline not dogma. There are already married priests in the Catholic church.

#2. The Mother of God dogma originated in the Orthodox church, it was they who coined the title Theotokos for Our Lady, in opposition to Nestorianism.

 

[Sushi]

I agree with choice number one. I’m just not sure that it would happen, but it would be wonderful if it did.

 

[nohamaria]

Yes I do support the Union. It is requested by the Christ
himself. I beleive on many revelations which had happen
between 80th and 90th of the 20th century. They all
persist on Gods request for such Union. It happens
that I beleive there is no primordial differences in their
essential teachings except: Ortodox are traditional,
catholics are more progressive and accurate in
the ways of witnessing their beleifs. They do remind me
of the two great apostles of the Christ: St. Peter and
st. Paul. However they both left their message on earth with
complete agreement and esteem. Hope our both churches
will follow their example.
With My sincere prayers for their Union.
Peace.
Nohamaria

 

[pipper]

I agree with choice number one. I’m just not sure that it would happen, but it would be wonderful if it did.

I dissagree with choice #1. That would be surrender, not reunion. The Orthodox would never agree to that option.

They talk about Catholic triumphalism, and that is what they mean.

 

[prodromos]

I voted the last option. I honestly believe there can only be conversion, not union.

John

 

[twf]

Pipper: many among the Orthodox also expect the ‘surrender’ or ‘conversion’ of the Catholic Church. It goes both ways.

 

[pipper]

Pipper: many among the Orthodox also expect the ‘surrender’ or ‘conversion’ of the Catholic Church. It goes both ways.

Yes as Podromos just showed. But we will be seperated forever if both churches are completely unwilling to give a little.

I really dont think that is the will of Our Lord at all.

 

[brigantine]

Yes as Podromos just showed. But we will be seperated forever if both churches are completely unwilling to give a little.

I really dont think that is the will of Our Lord at all.

I voted for The Catholic Church must accept all of the essential Orthodox teachings. I highlighted essential because I believe there can be some give and take on non-essential things such as receiving communion (Body and Blood) separate as the RCC does now.

 

[Leo_The_Great]

Very simply:

Truth is not subject to compromise.

However, technical expressions of truth are. Truth is transcendent, and words are not wholly adequate. Therefore there should be more than one way to express a truth.

 

[pipper]

I voted for The Catholic Church must accept all of the essential Orthodox teachings. I highlighted essential because I believe there can be some give and take on non-essential things such as receiving communion (Body and Blood) separate as the RCC does now.

Brigantine it is getting popular in Catholic churches now to recieve the body and blood together, that is called intinction. The priest or eucharistic minister dips a host into the chalice and then places it on the recipeint’s tounge, so that’s pretty much a non issue.

 

[brigantine]

Brigantine it is getting popular in Catholic churches now to recieve the body and blood together, that is called intinction. The priest or eucharistic minister dips a host into the chalice and then places it on the recipeint’s tounge, so that’s pretty much a non issue.

I did not know that!

 

[JRKH]

Very simply:

Truth is not subject to compromise.

However, technical expressions of truth are. Truth is transcendent, and words are not wholly adequate. Therefore there should be more than one way to express a truth.

Well said.

Jesus tells us that All of the Law and All of the Prophets are based upon two commandments with a total of 28 words in them.
Yet how many words have been written over the centuries trying to explain, calrify and expound upon these essential and fundemental truths.

I firmly believe that, over time, the East and the West will draw closer together and that eventually there will be a meeting of the minds, a meeting of the terms, and a meeting of how best to “express the truth”, as you say above.

 

[Madaglan]

Brigantine it is getting popular in Catholic churches now to recieve the body and blood together, that is called intinction. The priest or eucharistic minister dips a host into the chalice and then places it on the recipeint’s tounge, so that’s pretty much a non issue.

pipper, the only place I’ve seen intinction is in a Western Rite Orthodox parish (unleavened bread was used, too). Not saying it isn’t done in Latin Catholic parishes, but I have not seen it and do not believe it to be widespread yet. Most parishes I’ve been to within the past several years, when they decide to offer the cup as well, have a separate extraordinary minister of holy communion for it. Maybe things have changed in the past two years since I stopped going to Latin parishes on a regular basis however.

 

[pipper]

I did not know that!

Their is much we don’t know about each other. Many Catholics esp latin rite think the Orthodox don’t believe in the Assumption of the Theotokos, but they do and just call it the Dormition. Same beleif two different words.

Mutual understanding is the begining to reunification.

But to many Orthodox (esp ROCOR and other Old Calendar people) and many very conservative Catholics Ecumenism is a bad word.

 

[pipper]

pipper, the only place I’ve seen intinction is in a Western Rite Orthodox parish (unleavened bread was used, too). Not saying it isn’t done in Latin Catholic parishes, but I have not seen it and do not believe it to be widespread yet. Most parishes I’ve been to within the past several years, when they decide to offer the cup as well, have a separate extraordinary minister of holy communion for it. Maybe things have changed in the past two years since I stopped going to Latin parishes on a regular basis however.

Actually Catholics have some options for Holy Communion. In some places some can recieve the Host only kneeling and on the tounge. Another possibillity is to recieve on the toungue standing just the Host alone.

Another option in communion in the hand.

We can have the chalice seperately or by intictinction.

There is also variety between conservatve and less conservative parishes. It all depends on where you are. The more conservative parishes offer only the Sacred Host. and not the chalice at all.

It depends on where you are and the bishop.