How to become Eastern Catholic?

[Madaglan]

Hey, I am thinking about going to an Eastern Catholic church in my area. I have been reading a lot about the Eastern spiritual traditions, and I really feel more strongly about them than my own Western ones. So, I’m thinking about changing my rite from Latin Rite to one of the Eastern Catholic churches. However, I don’t know any Eastern Catholics in person, and although I now know some about the Eastern Catholic tradition, I’m not so clear on the particulars in how the tradition is affected by the communion of the Eastern Catholic churches with Rome and Pope John Paul II.

I wrote a private message to someone yesterday, but he has not responded yet; so I ask here the same questions I asked him. Maybe I can get several views until he responds…

1. How do I become a full-pledged member of an Eastern Catholic Church? There’s a Ruthenian church in close proximity to me, so I am thinking that, if I like the church, I might want to become a member.
2. I am planning on studying Theology at Franciscan University, which means that I might down the road work for a diocese. If I work for a Latin Rite diocese, can I still be the member of an Eastern Catholic Church?
3. Concerning the actual BELIEFS of the Eastern Catholic churches: Are they the same as the Latin Rite Chucrh? I mean, do the Eastern Catholics hold to the Orthodox understanding of Original Sin, divorce, Tradition, etc.–or do they give up these understandings and submit to what is in the CCC? I am having difficulties understanding how the Eastern Catholics can maintain their Orthodox identity and theologies and then believe in what are the products of Western theology.
4. This might seem far out: but what if down the road I get married and then decide I have a calling to the priesthood. Are there Eastern Catholic seminaries in the U.S.?
5. Does it really matter if I’m not the same ethniticity as the original people in the church? I’m 25% Slovak and 25% Hungarian (Eastern European), so luckily I think I would fit in at an Eastern Catholic church. I’m really thinking about the Ruthenian church, since they seem to be Slavik, sorta like me. .

Thanks for any help you can give! :yup:

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Madaglan:

Hey, I am thinking about going to an Eastern Catholic church in my area. I have been reading a lot about the Eastern spiritual traditions, and I really feel more strongly about them than my own Western ones.

If you are Baptized a Latin Rite Catholic then that is what you are. A person does not just decide to change Rites or more specifically “Churches”. If you are not Born into the Eastern Church then you can enter it through Marriage. But to change from one to the other requires the permission of both Bishops and very serious reasons, permission is rarely given.

 

[Pug]

In general, one is highly discouraged from switching rites. But you can attend mass at the other parish if you like. Then you’ll know some Eastern Catholics.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by Brother Rich SFO:

If you are Baptized a Latin Rite Catholic then that is what you are. A person does not just decide to change Rites or more specifically “Churches”. If you are not Born into the Eastern Church then you can enter it through Marriage. But to change from one to the other requires the permission of both Bishops and very serious reasons, permission is rarely given.

Wait, so are you saying that if I marry someone who is, say, of the Malabar Rite, that I can change my rite to Malabar Catholic?

I don’t mean any disrespect to the Latin Rite. It’s just that I’ve never really felt fully spiritually at home with it. There’s something that is missing that I can’t place my finger on exactly.

Please pray that I run into a really sweet Byzantine girl