I just noticed your profile, that you are Western Rite.
In happier times I often expressed that we had more WRO, and more Copts, Syrians, etc. on an erstwhile forum.
I thought being Western Ritte, and having much in common with the more Traditional Roman Catholics may have added to the conversation.
EO were often accused of hating everything Western, and though I love the Eastern Liturgy, I have grown to love the Western Rite, which is almost identical to their pre-Vatican II Tridentine Rite (except in English, though our Priest does the Canon in Latin sometimes), we do Diivine Offices, all our music is Gregorian Chant, we follow the tradition Western Calendar (though our Easter coincides with the rest of the Orthodox Church), we do the Rosery, so many of the prayers and litanies they are all familiar with and love.
I was overcome with the culture shock, not expecting the reaction that EO got here…I never anticipated it, and I am still not sure I understand this knee jerk reaction (I know there were a handful of…warriors, I don’t know what other term to use, who were more interested in winning an argument, and both sides played in it.)
I knew that the EO have always been very suspicious, and cautious in any dealings with Rome, and it is understandable, but I am not sure why the rage and bitterness on the Roman Catholic side runs so deep, especially among American Roman Catholics, who have had little dealing or experience, let alone a bloody history to overcome. Most do not know the real doctrinal issues, or take at face value some of the ugly misrepresentations and caricatures spread by a few over zealous apologists, most of whom seem to be converts to the Roman Catholic faith.
What really chilled my blood was looking through the other forums, looking for how people were dealing with interchurch (not interfaith) marriage, and the majority concensus was if your only engaged, break it off, or if you are married and it’s not going well, they were being told all the possibilities that might allow an annulment. God over spouse, or rather Roman Catholic over spouse. I don’t understand…I have left off reading in tears many times, and as my husband moves deeper into this culture, the more heartbreaking it is for our marriage, and our children, though grown, are suffering the fallout…in the beginning they went to Mass occasionally with him, but now they leave the room if the subject of the Church comes up…and though I have been around here over a year, I have found few answers, and have become very troubled. Over 20 years of marriage, with rarely a harsh word, and now we can not even speak or “our faith”. And I am at a loss to what has changed, other than the attitudes and environment or those around us. We are have no problem in any other area, and continue to grow in our love toward one another
That’s why I think it is better not to be here. There is something toxic here that I have never encountered before in any other Roman Catholic relationships.
I do not judge anyone, I just don’t understand what dynamic is going on that makes things so difficult.
And I apologize in advance, I am sure the majority or Roman Catholics individually have the best of motives. Maybe it has to do with the facelessness of the encounters…I don’t know.
If anyone has a better answer, ( besides the usual ones that I am too proud to submit to the Pope, am a schismatic or a heretic), I would like to know what it is.
Those who know me, and know the reasons for my situation, have no problem or criticism of where I am now; even the Priest of my RCIA understoods; most offer their comfort and prayers for healing and a solution to this problem…but I would never expose myself, my reasons here…I think there should be enough respect to be taken at my word.
lucy
. That is, if I don’t get banned for complaining.
Whatever for?
