How can I properly go from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholic

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ElyssaGabrielle

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My mother’s family is from Greece and my family history dates back to early Greek Orthodox church and I have many Orthodox priest in my family. My father’s family is Catholic and heavily involved. I was baptized (which included first communion) at 6 months old in the Greek Orthodox church. I attended both Catholic and Orthodox mass (Catholic sees that they are in communion together but Orthodox doesn’t, I take communion at both). I also attending some CCE classes, EDGE, and LIFE TEEN, even though I didn’t “have” to. I have chosen to participate and be a member of the Roman Catholic church but I would like to do so officially but I have been given so many different answers and I am confused on what to do. I am dedicated to the church and I want to be apart of it. I even serve as the President of our Catholic organization at my Church of Christ university. (I still appreciate, respect, and love the Orthodox church, it is a big part of me, but I just don’t completely agree with them and I don’t feel home there) Answers and help would be appreciated.

From Houston-Area, attending school in Abilene, Tx
 
As you were baptized, and presumably confirmed (chrismated), as an infant, you definitely do not need to repeat the sacraments of initiation. For an Orthodox Christian to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, all that is required is that you make a profession of faith. It is a very simple process. Just make an appointment with your local Catholic priest and take it from there.
 
Do you know if I would be able to convert to Roman Catholic? One priest I spoke to told me he thinks I would have to convert to Eastern Catholic but I moved before he could find the for sure answer.
 
Orthodox Christians join the Eastern Catholic Church that corresponds to their Orthodox Church. Becoming Roman Catholic would take a second step. You will probably do best to inquire with the chancery office rather than your local parish.
 
Yes my dad is hispanic but my mom is from Greece, they haven’t been married in the Catholic church yet due to me being born out of marriage. They will in 2 years.
 
ElyssaGabrielle said:
I have chosen to participate and be a member of the Roman Catholic church but I would like to do so officially but I have been given so many different answers and I am confused on what to do.
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Your case is complicated. Too complicated for a parish priest. You will have to talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the intricacies of Canon Law. Contact your local Diocesan Chancery. You’ll only get more confused if you ask anywhere else.
 
Augustinian said:
I think if your dad is Latin rite, so are you. If your parents were married, I don’t think you’d be Eastern Catholic at all.
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I think this applies to assigning to a church at time of Catholic baptism.

If he was baptized GO, he ends up in the corresponding EC church, but may then transition to RC

hawk
 
CALL your closest Catholic parish and make an appointment to discuss this face to face with a priest.

THAT my friend is the surest and easiest way to get the answers that you seek:grinning:

May God Guide your path, PRAY very much,
Patrick
 
AndrewAxland said:
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ElyssaGabrielle:
I have chosen to participate and be a member of the Roman Catholic church but I would like to do so officially but I have been given so many different answers and I am confused on what to do.
Click to expand...
Your case is complicated. Too complicated for a parish priest. You will have to talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the intricacies of Canon Law. Contact your local Diocesan Chancery. You’ll only get more confused if you ask anywhere else.
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Regardless, the pastor of the parish is the place to start. He will know whether he needs help or not. No, he might not be knowledgeable about the intricacies of the matter, but this is even complicated for those who are knowledgeable about canon law. I have a friend in a similar situation who asked canon lawyers at both the Byzantine Eparchy and the Latin Diocese. The Latin canon lawyer says she’s Latin-Rite, the Byzantine canon lawyer says she’s Byzantine. She decided it doesn’t really matter and happily lives out her faith at the Latin-rite parish.
 
Dear ElyssaGabrielle, it would be best to ignore every response you’ve received so far EXCEPT for the first one from “TWF”. That is the only fully correct response. If you were baptized and chrismated in an Orthodox Church (one with valid sacraments; not one of the splinter heterodox churches) then there is no paperwork, you DO NOT have to join one of the Eastern Catholic churches, and there is nothing complicated about your situation. Go to any Roman Catholic priest, make your profession of faith, and that’s that.

Now, speaking as one who made the journey from the East to Rome several years ago, you should know that if you do this, you will be automatically excommunicated in the Orthodox churches; but frankly, that has already happened since you have already been receiving the Eucharist in the West. You can’t really bounce back and forth. Right now, at least, this is a one-way street.
 
Martin04 said:
you DO NOT have to join one of the Eastern Catholic churches, and there is nothing complicated about your situation. Go to any Roman Catholic priest, make your profession of faith, and that’s that.
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This is incorrect.

Per both Eastern and Roman Canon law, the person is automatically enrolled in the “closest” catholic church. It is not required that he formally transition to the RCC to be active in a Catholic parish, but to be RC, it would be necessary.

hawk
 
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