Rites;6771798:
Definitely not. The Maronites have become far too distinct from any other branch of Syrian Christianity. They’ve developed their own traditions, rites, and customs, and historically are quite unique. I say let them hold on to what makes them their own Church.
From my limited exposure to the tradition, I would say I can’t disagree with you.
However, they [the Maronites and Syriac Catholics, *perhaps
the Melkites too] are already sharing seminaries and working together in other ways. Probably more due to the fact that the Syriac church is so small, but obviously they share some commonalities and this close association in the development of priests should promote mutual respect.
Good relations and cooperation between the Maronites and Syriacs is nothing new. For one thing, the Maronites played a role in the reunion of the Syriacs. For another, the Maronite liturgical reawakening (and by that I mean the
real one, not the post-conciliar joke) was spurred to a great extent by the great Syriac Patriarch Ignatious Ephrem II Rahmani who was a noted liturgical scholar. Also, in those places (in the diaspora, at least), where the Maronites had an established presence, there was a “gentleman’s agreement” that Maronite priests would care for the local Syriacs. (The “agreement” sill exists in principle but is less evident now than it was in the past.)
Rites;6771798:
The Syriac Catholic Church would be a much better candidate for “absorbtion” (and it’s really just reunification).
It would not do to see the Syriac Catholics disappear into the much larger Maronite church, I think it would be very unfortunate (for one thing it would send the wrong message to the Jacobites). However, if the Syriac Catholics and Jacobites ever reconciled, I could see where a very close relationship between the Maronites and the Syriac church would be very posssible, even desireable. The reason I say this is because they ultimately share common roots and the Maronites are in the process of recovering those roots. Two more or less equally sized churches (with common ancient roots) are not going to worry about partiality.
The SCC would likely not take well to being “absorbed” into the Maronite Church, any considerations of the SOC notwithstanding. As for the Maronites, if they were to be “absorbed” by another Church, it would clearly be the Latin Church.
Now, regarding the “Maronites [being] in the process of recovering those roots” all I can say is that the only “roots” being recovered are those of latinization. Despite all the post-conciliar claptrap, the fact is that we are being drowned in a never-ending tidal wave of Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinization.
