It seems that should this occur the BIG ONE would have to be stated…that the pope is not infallible on the matters of faith and morals. We should pray for unity on God’s terms, not ours.
Well, then, where is the motivation for Rome to change? It could make all those changes that you suggested, and agree for the Othodox to make no changes at all, and still, there is no guarantee that there would be any reunification. All that work and good will for nothing.No, Rome would have to wait for the Eastern Patriarchs to recover from their shock before anything further could happen.
So Rome agrees to all of your demands, but after that, still you require more for the union to take place?Hahaha. I love that reaction. “That’s it?” Well, Sid…I admire your optimism. Can I take it as a sign that you are willing to reject the doctrines particular to Rome that separate it from Orthodox Church?
And I have to agree with Nine_Two that it is not appropriate to treat the laity as though they have no say. To take a different position that would rob the laity of a voice in such a monumental undertaking seems to me to bear out what I once read on here from an Orthodox member: The Eastern Orthodox cannot live with a Pope, and Roman Catholics cannot live without one. You need to have Rome tell you when it’s right to agree with the Orthodox?
You read my post right? Is joke.
I simply don’t know what else there to say. You and I comprise the laity and I do not believe that the EOC or the CC is based on a democracy. The laity can certainly make known their opinion, just as you and I are doing, and perhaps our opinion will, in some small way influence the leaders of each respective church leadership, but ultimately, it’s up to the leaders of each respective church.
Good point Alex!!Well, having read through this thread, the only thing I believe we can say for certain on this topic is that Rome and Orthodoxy appear MORE ready for reunion than any of our posters!
That, to me, truly is ecumenical progress . . .
Alex
Who said anything about democracy? The laity have always had a voice in the East.
What makes you say that? What have you heard?Well, having read through this thread, the only thing I believe we can say for certain on this topic is that Rome and Orthodoxy appear MORE ready for reunion than any of our posters!
That, to me, truly is ecumenical progress . . .
Alex
That is the way many Roman Catholics see it: either papal monarchy or mob rule. I hate to keep harping on this point but issues like this are precisely why many Orthodox, including many saints, have seen Roman Catholicism as a man-based, humanistic institution. Roman Catholics see things only in terms of organizational structure and earthly power…like a corporation with a CEO for life.
Wow…
I think we all have to go through this Process. I certainly have with 1/2 a dozen protestant Churches. Now its with the RC EO OO churches. I think the holy spirit has to lead us through a load of Lies before we can come to the revelation of the truth.I’ve heard very convincing arguments for what you call error. However, I’m not a theologian and have been trying to learn as much as possible. I’ve even considered entering a graduate program to learn. My intention was to do so until a recent mishap with our DRE, who basically called me a bully and lied about me. I’ve lost faith in Catholic leadership. I have serious doubts they can make good decisions. But, I’m told that Orthodox also have similar issues. Trying to discern “truth” from ancient documents feels nearly impossible at times. Therefore, I continue to exist in this cesspool that pulls me down. Once I followed the Holy Spirit right out of the Catholic Church to a Protestant church, truly believing what I did was right. So now, how do I follow the Holy Spirit with the little information I can find on the topic with contradictory positions. One of them must be wrong logically speaking. Could both be correct?Death seems to be the only method of revelation we’ll receive any time soon.
I suppose error is heresy=Sin. Do you think God forgives us when we keep pushing our Sins on him?
I look at it differently. We have been given the truth once and for all and now we are all arguing over how to interpret it. I think it might be focusing on a particular aspect a bit too much if we expect God the Holy Spirit to settle our arguments when we ought to pray that He guides us to salvation.
If a Christian belonging to the EOC, and vice versa, thinks that the CC is supposedly pushing errors on God and therefore is guilty of heresy, then I really don’t know what else to say, other than, I guess, stay away from the CC. Either the CC is right or the EOC is right; they can’t both be right, and maybe, someday, we will all finally know the truth.
Well, I now understand how you feel about the Catholic Church and can tell your feelings are not going to change. I guess, after those comments, there is really nothing more to discuss. My final answer to the question: Do you support union of Catholic and Orthodox Churches?
Well Roman Catholics do say The holy spirit Proceeds from both the father and the son simultaneously. How would this be the case if the son was on the earth when he received the holy spirit at his baptism?
Like a Angel=Neuter=Neither male or female
What you have just described is the adoptionist heresy. In ancient times some people thought Jesus was an ordinary man who received the Holy Ghost at his baptism of John and was infused with God at that time. This completely ignores the separate fact that the Holy Spirit overshadowed Saint Mary and caused her conception.Well Roman Catholics do say The holy spirit Proceeds from both the father and the son simultaneously. How would this be the case if the son was on the earth when he received the holy spirit at his baptism?