Does the term "Roman Catholic" apply to Eastern Catholics as well?

[Tis_Bearself]

I would prefer to see everyone refer to themselves either as “Western/Eastern Catholic” or “Eastern/Western Orthodox”.

You can prefer it, but that doesn’t mean everybody is going to do it.

BartholomewB:

“Yes, I’m a Romish Popish Papist!”

I rather like this. Tempted to put it on my social media.
Husband called me a “papist” for a joke a few times while I called him a “heretic”.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

I would prefer to see everyone refer to themselves either as “Western/Eastern Catholic” or “Eastern/Western Orthodox”.

You can prefer it, but that doesn’t mean everybody is going to do it.

No, they’re not, I just meant that it would be a more accurate description.

There is nothing wrong with the term “Roman Catholic”, in fact, I like it, because it indirectly underscores the primacy and authority of the Pope.

Husband called me a “papist” for a joke a few times while I called him a “heretic”.

Actually, I do not find the term “Romanist” one bit offensive, though it’s generally meant that way. However, it’s a rather archaic term that is rarely heard nowadays — I doubt that even the successors of Jack Chick use it anymore.

 

[babochka]

Back in the day, it is my understanding that all Eastern Rite Catholics commonly referred to themselves as “Greek Catholics”, whether their liturgical language was Greek or something else.

The only Catholics who refer to themselves as Greek Catholics for those who followed the Greek Rite, the Rite of Constantinople. This would not include Chaldean Catholics, Maronite Catholics, Syriac Catholics, Syro- Malabar Catholics, etc. Eastern Rite itself is a misnomer, as there are several Eastern Rites.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

Actually, I would prefer to see everyone refer to themselves either as “Western/Eastern Catholic” or “Eastern/Western Orthodox”. “Greek” could also be shorthand for Eastern Christianity, with “Latin” corresponding to Western Christianity. Back in the day, it is my understanding that all Eastern Rite Catholics commonly referred to themselves as “Greek Catholics”, whether their liturgical language was Greek or something else.

Actually, “Greek Catholic” refers to the Byzantine Rite, so as has been mentioned upthread, there are 14 Greek-Catholic Churches, and the others are of non-Byzantine rite.

HomeschoolDad:

Back in the day, it is my understanding that all Eastern Rite Catholics commonly referred to themselves as “Greek Catholics”, whether their liturgical language was Greek or something else.

The only Catholics who refer to themselves as Greek Catholics for those who followed the Greek Rite, the Rite of Constantinople. This would not include Chaldean Catholics, Maronite Catholics, Syriac Catholics, Syro- Malabar Catholics, etc. Eastern Rite itself is a misnomer, as there are several Eastern Rites.

So I stand corrected. Thank you.

I still think the Eastern vs Western appellation would be the most precise one.

 

[Alexandria2020]

Actually, I would prefer to see everyone refer to themselves either as “Western/Eastern Catholic” or “Eastern/Western Orthodox”. “Greek” could also be shorthand for Eastern Christianity, with “Latin” corresponding to Western Christianity. Back in the day, it is my understanding that all Eastern Rite Catholics commonly referred to themselves as “Greek Catholics”, whether their liturgical language was Greek or something else.

I think Byzantine/Greek Rite is the only Eastern Rite familiar in the western world. It’s the most western Eastern Rite, to put it in other terms. And it’s the counterpart to the Eastern Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox Church mainly based in Eastern Europe and familiar to a western audience.

 

[Vico]

HomeschoolDad:

Actually, I would prefer to see everyone refer to themselves either as “Western/Eastern Catholic” or “Eastern/Western Orthodox”. “Greek” could also be shorthand for Eastern Christianity, with “Latin” corresponding to Western Christianity. Back in the day, it is my understanding that all Eastern Rite Catholics commonly referred to themselves as “Greek Catholics”, whether their liturgical language was Greek or something else.

I think Byzantine/Greek Rite is the only Eastern Rite familiar in the western world. It’s the most western Eastern Rite, to put it in other terms. And it’s the counterpart to the Eastern Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox Church mainly based in Eastern Europe and familiar to a western audience.

Don’t forget the Maronites from the West Syrian tradition (68 parishes in the USA).

 

[Montrose]

I will stick with simply calling myself Catholic.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Well there is one very outdated theory that since primacy is found in Rome, Catholic Church is entirely “Roman” Catholic… not because it is Roman Rite but because “headquarters” are in Rome. Today, it is rarely used like that.

Roman Catholics would technically be Latin Catholics (Western Catholics). Eastern Catholics can also be divided on ritual lines (Byzantine Catholic) or Sui Iuris lines (Ukrainian Catholic) or name of their Church can have impact (in Slovakia, they call themselves “Greek Catholic” despite being more Slavic than Greek).

I will stick with simply calling myself Catholic.

We are all Catholics first, Roman/Byzantine/Ukrainian/Greek second. Would Roman Rite suddenly go Schismatic, would we (Roman Catholics) become Roman or would we follow Christ and remain Catholic?

 

[Alexandria2020]

Well there is one very outdated theory that since primacy is found in Rome, Catholic Church is entirely “Roman” Catholic… not because it is Roman Rite but because “headquarters” are in Rome. Today, it is rarely used like that.

I notice in the US … the RC label is more common. Most Latin churches have it written as Roman Catholic or St John’s RC Church.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

I notice in the US … the RC label is more common. Most Latin churches have it written as Roman Catholic or St John’s RC Church.

It is same here in Slovakia. But Eastern (“Greek”) Catholics do not use RC label. Only Western Catholics do.

When it comes to Western Rites, idea is that Western Rites are all Rites originating from West. Latin Rite encompasses most (if not all) of those Rites. For example Anglican Use (Catholic Rite) is Latin but not Roman. Roman Rite is another part of Latin Rite (and majority of it actually), but terms aren’t equivalent. Roman Catholics are only those who use OF and EF, while term “Latin Catholics” may also include Anglican Use and perhaps some other Rites from the West.

 

[Montrose]

We are all Catholics first, Roman/Byzantine/Ukrainian/Greek second. Would Roman Rite suddenly go Schismatic, would we (Roman Catholics) become Roman or would we follow Christ and remain Catholic?

We would never go schismatic so speculation is useless.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

We would never go schismatic so speculation is useless.

It might happen. There is always possibility that heresy will again attack the Church. Satan does not rest in his attempts to thwart will of Christ- and he can’t, but he will nonetheless try his best.

 

[Montrose]

It might happen.

NEVER! It would NEVER happen!

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

NEVER! It would NEVER happen!

Matthew 26
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

If you are referring to Papal Infallibility and inerrancy of Rome, I agree but that does not mean Rome can not ever in the future change Rites or that Rome will always keep entire West inerrant- that was never the meaning of Papal Infallibility. I am not saying this is near future but we ought to be careful.

 

[Montrose]

Matthew 26
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

If you are referring to Papal Infallibility and inerrancy of Rome, I agree but that does not mean Rome can not ever in the future change Rites or that Rome will always keep entire West inerrant- that was never the meaning of Papal Infallibility. I am not saying this is near future but we ought to be careful.

You can speculate as much as you want but the Latin Rite will NEVER go into schism. I will keep repeating that so no point in going on with this.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

You can speculate as much as you want but the Latin Rite will NEVER go into schism. I will keep repeating that so no point in going on with this.

Why do you think that is the case? Is Latin Rite somehow superior to other Rites? That can’t be true since Church teaches all Rites are equal.

I really want to understand your point and reasoning behind it. Not intending to offend you.

 

[Alexandria2020]

I notice in the US … the RC label is more common. Most Latin churches have it written as Roman Catholic or St John’s RC Church

the Maronite Church near me has it like this - St John’s RC Church - Maronite Rite

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

You can speculate as much as you want but the Latin Rite will NEVER go into schism. I will keep repeating that so no point in going on with this.

I really want to understand your point and reasoning behind it. Not intending to offend you.

I honestly do. If you have any sort of argument behind what you are saying, then I want to know and educate myself. Why do you think Latin Rite can not ever go into Schism?

the Maronite Church near me has it like this - St John’s RC Church - Maronite Rite

Oh really? That’s interesting. Perhaps they adhere to that old theory I have provided then. Or they do it so people understand that they are in communion with Roman Catholics. Honestly, Westerners should be much more educated about other Rites including those in West

 

[Alexandria2020]

Oh really? That’s interesting. Perhaps they adhere to that old theory I have provided then. Or they do it so people understand that they are in communion with Roman Catholics. Honestly, Westerners should be much more educated about other Rites including those in West

they are heavily Latinized aren’t they? - and I think the heavily Latinized ECs like using the term “Roman Catholic”.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

they are heavily Latinized aren’t they? - and I think the heavily Latinized ECs like using the term “Roman Catholic”.

Might also be the case.