Hi Anatolian! I am a Greek Orthodox who attends an Antiochian Church. To answer your question about western rite please go to the Anthiochian Archdiocese of North America website and I do believe they have a list of the many Western Rite Churches. All of these Churches were former Anglican congregations that decided to be received into the Orthodox Church. Since their priests were married the Orthodox Church decided to adapt a Western Rite for them so that their priests can remain responsible to the parish. I can remember an Anglican priest here on the Island who decided to become Catholic and when he did that the Roman Catholic Church will only allow him to be an assistant priest at one of the parishes. He can never have a parish for himself. That is why the Orthodox Church has a Western Rite so as to give these priests the responsibility to their own parish. So try the website and see if there is a parish nearby. God Bless!
Not all, the one western rite in our town has former protestants, catholics and greek orthodox. The priest is a former mennonite. So not all are former anglican.
Also, the anglican priest who is now catholic can become part of the Anglican Constitution Ordinariate. Opens many more doors than his local Catholic Bishop seems to not be allowing. I say that as I know of married Catholic priests who are Rectors/Pastors of parishes large and small. Under the pastoral provision what happened to anglican priests who converted was mainly left up to the local catholic bishop. The Holy Father is changing that circumstance.
The issue that married priest suffer more than celibate is a red herring. Married men have had vocations that take them away from their families since the beginning. As a married clergy man I have missed dinners, kids plays, family trips etc. When I was a fraud investigator for various insurance companies I missed dinners, kids plays, family trips, one Christmas, late nights etc. When I was in the Marines, I missed dinners, kids plays, birthdays, family trips, holidays etc. The Church has had married clergy since the beginning with various degrees of regulation. Some no married allowed to married deacons, to married priest to married bishops.
The problem is not enough men in vocation of holy orders. I know of catholic priest who has a parish of 1000 families, is the catholic chaplain at the naval base and a chaplain at one of the local hospitals. He has no assisting priest, deacon, nothing. He is running his health into the ground…ie early grave.
As to St Paul and 1 Corth. 7. St Paul begins the chapter by telling us that none of what he is about to say is a commandment. The passage quoted v32-35, ends by telling us it is not a commandment or restraint. St Paul believes ALL christians should be single and celibate, as he states in Chapter 7. It is his OPINION, not a commandment as St Paul clearly states at least twice in the chapter. St Paul also tells us in the letters to Timothy and Titus that deacon, priest and bishop can be married. There are restricts, but being married is not one of them. The catholic, orthodox, anglican and protestant churches have arrived at their understanding of a married clergy through tradition and experience. Well and good. I can see the benefits of both camps. Scripture does not require clergy to be married or celibate.
Arguments like this are a waste of time and do not benefit the church. The real problem is lack of men in vocation of Holy Orders and how to solve this pressing problem.
Fr.Mark
(first of all,i cant speak Greek and understand the liturgy) PS: The only Orthodox liturgy available is in Greek in this part of the world where i am living… I am aware of some Western rite Orthodox congregations under the jurisdiction of Antioch but not any around my town…Are there any EO converts to CC here? I think EO converts do not undergo confirmation since EO has valid sacraments and orders. ***
