How can I become Catholic and what are the steps?

[ThatOrthodoxGuy]

Greetings in Christ,

I was wondering how a orthodox christian like me:byzsoc: could become catholic, what are the steps, and what are some good reasons? I have become very interested in the Rcc and I can feel like God is pulling me to the church. Can anyone help me?

 

[rosemarky]

First of all welcome to the forum and I hope you find all the answers you seek. Prayer is the ultimate in making a decision so please continue to pray and seek God’s will in your life. The best thing you can do is to talk to others who are of the Catholic faith, online or in person. Also you can talk to a priest, nun, deacon, or religious instructor at your local parish, they have wonderful ways to explain the faith. Also try RCIA, this is the time of learning in RCIA when you talk, read, learn about the faith. Decisions do not have to be made soon, you may like to come into the faith this year, you may want to wait until you understand it better, let God lead you in that decision. Last there are lots of people at CA that love to share their faith with others. Good luck and God bless on your journey and keep posting, I would love to hear how you are doing.
Rosemarie

 

[Allegra]

You should ask your parish about attending RCIA. There you will (theoretically) learn the ins and outs of the teachings of the Church. If you decide that you want to be Catholic, I don’t know what other steps you would need to take. In most cases, converts would be Confirmed at Easter and have their first Eucharist, but in your case, you have already recieved these Sacrements validly. I imagine that a special prayer would be said for you at Mass. Something to keep in mind if you like the liturgy of the Orthodox Churches, is that there are other rites of the Catholic Church that have a more similar liturgy to what you are used to. You might consider those as well. However, if you like the Latin Rite just fine, it is by far the most common in the Catholic Church. Good luck!

 

[PJM]

=ThatOrthodoxGuy;9752562]Greetings in Christ,

I was wondering how a orthodox christian like me:byzsoc: could become catholic, what are the steps, and what are some good reasons? I have become very interested in the Rcc and I can feel like God is pulling me to the church. Can anyone help me?

For you; ALL that would be necessary would be to attend a RCIA program [Rites of Christian Iniation for Adults]. This is a requisit for all who desire to come into the Church.

As to why you should. The answer is both simple and PROFOUND.

God always and everywhere taught, Desired and Willed belief in only One God [no issue for you]; only One set of Faith beliefs somewhat of an issue for youi] and ONLY ONE CHURCH. Ought not to be; but is a HUGHE issue for schism church’s.

The New Testament alone has more than 100 evidences of these truths.

Here are but a few examples:

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

Ps.127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”

Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Eph. 3: 9-10 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church [singular] the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Eph. 4: 1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body [WHICH MEANS ONE CHURCH] and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, **one faith, **Meaning only One set of beliefs] one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

God is anxious to welcome you BACK HOME my friend!

Love and prayers,
Pat /PJM

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Orthodox Christians do NOT go through RCIA. We recognize your sacraments as valid so you have already received all the sacraments of initiation.

In addition, Orthodox Christians become members of the Eastern Catholic Church that corresponds to their Orthodox Church. I assume that is the Russian Catholic Church for someone who is Russian Orthodox. Once you are Catholic you could attend a Roman Catholic Church if you prefer or it’s more convenient, but you will be Eastern Catholic. If you want to join the Roman Catholic Church instead you will need the permission of the two bishops involved.

Here is a document I was able to find from the Diocese of Gary that provides some info: dcgary.org/pdf/Reception-Orthodox-Christian.pdf

The advice I was given as an RCIA director is “if an Orthodox Christian ever shows up, call the Chancery Office and get out of the way.”

You may want to call your diocese directly and get good answers. I know who to refer you to in the Los Angeles Archdiocese but couldn’t provide information for other locations.

 

[1ke]

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread.

Members of the Orthodox have validly received all the sacraments of initiation. All that is required is the profession of faith. Nothing else. You are fully a member of a true particular Church with valid sacraments, valid apostolic succesion. You are not to be treated as a convert.

You should contact a priest in a local Catholic parish.

Please note also that as a member of an Eastern Church, you would come in to the Catholic Church not as a Latin Catholic but into the Rite that corresponds to your Orthodox Rite (although you can certainly worship in any Rite).

 

[Kirovsakya]

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread.

Members of the Orthodox have validly received all the sacraments of initiation. All that is required is the profession of faith. Nothing else. You are fully a member of a true particular Church with valid sacraments, valid apostolic succesion. You are not to be treated as a convert.

You should contact a priest in a local Catholic parish.

Please note also that as a member of an Eastern Church, you would come in to the Catholic Church not as a Latin Catholic but into the Rite that corresponds to your Orthodox Rite (although you can certainly worship in any Rite).

Could you (or anyone) please elaborate on this? What is involved in this “profession of faith”? Do you mean the Nicean Creed as recited in the Eastern Catholic Church (ie without additional filioque)?

Nothing else? No catechesis to explain difference between EO and RC doctrine? No renunciation of Orthodox “heresies”? No assent to papal supremacy, purgatory, indulgences, immaculate conception, etc…?

Seems odd that reception of Orthodox to RCC would be so simple. Has it always been like this in USA?

Thanks.

Sakya

 

[RyanBlack]

Could you (or anyone) please elaborate on this? What is involved in this “profession of faith”? Do you mean the Nicean Creed as recited in the Eastern Catholic Church (ie without additional filioque)?

Nothing else? No catechesis to explain difference between EO and RC doctrine? No renunciation of Orthodox “heresies”? No assent to papal supremacy, purgatory, indulgences, immaculate conception, etc…?

Seems odd that reception of Orthodox to RCC would be so simple. Has it always been like this in USA?

Thanks.

Sakya

It is my understanding that the extent of catechesis is at the discretion of the pastor. I was received into the Catholic Church from Orthodoxy in a Ruthenian parish. After I had been attending there for a few months, the priest just announced one Sunday after Divine Liturgy that I was a member of the parish. He may have required no catechesis for me because I held two graduate degrees in theology.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Could you (or anyone) please elaborate on this? What is involved in this “profession of faith”?

See the document I linked to from Gary.

For someone becoming Roman Catholic:

RCIA 491. The one to be received then joins the community in reciting the Nicene Creed, which is always said at this Mass.

The celebrant then asks the one to be received to add the following profession of faith. the candidate says:

I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.

 

[Contarini]

Could you (or anyone) please elaborate on this? What is involved in this “profession of faith”? Do you mean the Nicean Creed as recited in the Eastern Catholic Church (ie without additional filioque)?

Eastern Catholics don’t use it. However, an Orthodox person being reconciled with Rome would need to renounce the view that the Filioque is heresy, and might wind up attending a Roman-Rite parish where the Filioque was used.

Nothing else? No catechesis to explain difference between EO and RC doctrine? No renunciation of Orthodox “heresies”?

From the Catholic point of view, there aren’t any.

No assent to papal supremacy, purgatory, indulgences, immaculate conception, etc…?

Certainly an Orthodox person ought to know just what he or she is signing up for in terms of papal authority. On the other stuff the Orthodox approach is considered appropriate within an Eastern theological context. The Orthodox believe that prayer and good works on the part of the living can help those who die in a state of imperfection, and that the Blessed Virgin is spotless and free from sin, don’t they?That’s a summary of what the doctrines you describe essentially mean, stripped of their Latin technicalities.

Edwin

 

[1ke]

Could you (or anyone) please elaborate on this? What is involved in this “profession of faith”? Do you mean the Nicean Creed as recited in the Eastern Catholic Church (ie without additional filioque)?

No, it’s a short statement to the effect of “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” Followed by the Act of Reception in which the priest receives you into full communion with the Catholi Church.

And if you become Catholic, the Nicene Creed contains the Filioque. When the profession and reception take place in the Mass, it would come right after the Nicene Creed (which everyone recites together), if it’s a Latin parish.

Hmm, and now that I think of it, perhaps even the profession of faith and act of reception might not be strictly necessary. I am not very famliiar with the code of canon law for the Eastern Rite Churches.

Nothing else? No catechesis to explain difference between EO and RC doctrine?

You are already fully intiated. You are fully Catholic sacramentally.

Certainly you could, and should, precede any decision to come into full communion with such study-- you should talk to an Eastern Catholic priest on the matter. But no, it is not strictly necessary.

No renunciation of Orthodox “heresies”?

Nope.

No assent to papal supremacy, purgatory, indulgences, immaculate conception, etc…?

See above, profession of faith covers these.

Seems odd that reception of Orthodox to RCC would be so simple. Has it always been like this in USA?

Yes. Orthodox are fully initiated. They are not to be treated as catechumens or those who are from non-Catholic ecclesial communions lacking Apostolic Succession.

 

[1ke]

Might I suggest that you post some questions on the Eastern Catholicism discussion board here on CAF? They are going to be much more knowledgeable regarding Orthodox coming into full communion.

 

[Kirovsakya]

No, it’s a short statement to the effect of “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” Followed by the Act of Reception in which the priest receives you into full communion with the Catholi Church.

And if you become Catholic, the Nicene Creed contains the Filioque. When the profession and reception take place in the Mass, it would come right after the Nicene Creed (which everyone recites together), if it’s a Latin parish.

Hmm, and now that I think of it, perhaps even the profession of faith and act of reception might not be strictly necessary. I am not very famliiar with the code of canon law for the Eastern Rite Churches.

You are already fully intiated. You are fully Catholic sacramentally.

Certainly you could, and should, precede any decision to come into full communion with such study-- you should talk to an Eastern Catholic priest on the matter. But no, it is not strictly necessary.

Nope.

See above, profession of faith covers these.

Yes. Orthodox are fully initiated. They are not to be treated as catechumens or those who are from non-Catholic ecclesial communions lacking Apostolic Succession.

OK. Let me get this straight.

–Orthodox Christians, who have been initiated into the Orthodox Church, require no “conversion” to receive Catholic sacraments?

–Only the Roman Catholic church includes the filioque in the profession of faith that is recited in Sunday Mass.

–Eastern Catholic churches omit the Roman filioque in the profession of faith that is recited in the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

–Orthodox are only received into Eastern Catholic churches.

Is it correct to conclude that Orthodox may receive the Eucharist in Eastern Catholic churches without ever reciting, or otherwise assenting to the filioque? And the Vatican is OK with all that?

Thanks for the patience.

Sakya

 

[1ke]

–Orthodox Christians, who have been initiated into the Orthodox Church, require no “conversion” to receive Catholic sacraments?

They are already validly baptized, chrismated, and communed. They are already fully initiated. RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation. That dose not apply to someone already fully initiated. Fully initiated = received valid baptism, confirmation, and eucharist.

They need only enter formal communion through approaching the Church and asking.

–Only the Roman Catholic church includes the filioque in the profession of faith that is recited in Sunday Mass.

I did not say that.

I don’t know what the Eastern Rite Churches do at Divine Liturgy. I am a Latin Catholic. Best to ask somone on the Eastern Catholicism forum.

Eastern Catholic churches omit the Roman filioque in the profession of faith that is recited in the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

I did not say that.

Same as above. I do not know what Eastern Catholic Churches do or don’t do at Divine Liturgy as I do not speak those languages and have never studied their liturgy. I can only speak for the Latin Rite.

Orthodox are only received into Eastern Catholic churches.

Yes, typically. But it is (a) possible to change Rites, especially when married to a Latin Catholic and (b) it is always permissible to worship in any Rite. An Orthodox interested in entering the Latin Rite would have some paperwork to do and discussions to have to make that happen.

Is it correct to conclude that Orthodox may receive the Eucharist in Eastern Catholic churches without ever reciting, or otherwise assenting to the filioque?

Canon Law provides for those in true particular Churches, such as the Orthodox, to receive the sacraments in the Catholic Church under certain circumstances.

That is not the same as coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.

And the Vatican is OK with all that?

You seem to be looking for a way around the filioque. I suggest you go over to the Eastern Catholicism forum as they are more knoweldgeable. They are in full communion with the Pope so no, it is not possible to reject it.