My orthodox friend feels guilty of my conversion

[cristyd]

I was surprised to find out that one of my friends feels guilty that i have become a Catholic. Before starting the process, when i was thinking over if this is what i really want to do i told of my intentions to my friends. Sonme supported me, some were against, some tried to change my mind. This friend is a very strong orthodox believer and he tried the hardest to change my mind. However his arguments did not convince me, on the contrary. I gave him my arguments and i was even more convinced that i want to be a Catholic. We had a conversation around 30 minutes and then i told him i will think about it.
When he heard that i am a catholic now he asked me if I didn’t do it because of him and he felt guilty. he told me he will go to confess to his priest then he tainted my mind. I tried to explain that a 30 minute conversation can’t change somebody’s religion, that i was thinking about it for years, that i had many many reasons of my own, and beliefs of my own, that he is not the only one who spoke to me on this. However i still think he will go to confess it as a sin and honestly i feel sad for him.

 

[Gene_Church]

It’s great to have such a friend as you. Pray for him.

 

[cristyd]

It’s great to have such a friend as you. Pray for him.

Why? I don’t feel such a good friend right now. This guy really feels sinful because of me. If i knew he will react like this i wouldn’t talk to him.
I will pray for him.

 

[JRKH]

Why? I don’t feel such a good friend right now. This guy really feels sinful because of me. If i knew he will react like this i wouldn’t talk to him.
I will pray for him.

I wouldn’t worry too much about this. I’m sure his confessor will set his mind at ease. As for talking to him, I think that it is wonderful that you have such a friend and I think you and he should continue to talk, casually and not like “evagelizing”.

The RC and EO have set in motion talks aimed at reconciling the differences between east and west. You and your friend might have some fine talks about this.

Peace
James

 

[runningdude]

Loosing a friend to another faith is always a kick in the stomach.

I am not an expert, but in my limited understanding of the Eastern Orthodox, they don’t have the same “obligation” to confess sin as understood in the west. He may not feel as those he committed a mortal sin that requires confession, but instead seeking to turn his sorrow for his actions or inaction into an expression of devotion to Christ through the Orthodox Church.

I read once that an Orthodox is not obligated to receive the sacraments anymore than one is obligated to breath! Their spirituality is entirely dependent on the true presence of Christ in the sacraments!

Now, in your post I believe you said you were once Orthodox, so you probably know much more than I do about Eastern spirituality, but next time to speak with him, you might dig a little deeper to find out his true motivation

 

[cristyd]

Loosing a friend to another faith is always a kick in the stomach.

I am not an expert, but in my limited understanding of the Eastern Orthodox, they don’t have the same “obligation” to confess sin as understood in the west. He may not feel as those he committed a mortal sin that requires confession, but instead seeking to turn his sorrow for his actions or inaction into an expression of devotion to Christ through the Orthodox Church.

I read once that an Orthodox is not obligated to receive the sacraments anymore than one is obligated to breath! Their spirituality is entirely dependent on the true presence of Christ in the sacraments!

Now, in your post I believe you said you were once Orthodox, so you probably know much more than I do about Eastern spirituality, but next time to speak with him, you might dig a little deeper to find out his true motivation

In the orthodox religion you have to confess all sins, even the venial ones. In rest the sacraments are almost the same as in the Catholic Church. What do you mean by obligated?
His true motivation as i understood from him is that he must confess all sins, and if he “tainted” my mind as he thinks, he must confess it.
He is not one of the closest friends of mine. We were working toghether and we were talking toghether so maybe he is more sad of loosing an orthodox then loosing a friend to other religion.

 

[Rolltide]

He is not one of the closest friends of mine. We were working toghether and we were talking toghether so maybe he is more sad of loosing an orthodox then loosing a friend to other religion.

Keep in mind that Orthodoxy and Catholicism view each other slightly differently. Although our beliefs are closer than almost any other two denominations, in general Catholics tend to view the Orthodox Churches as merely in schism (that is, their doctrine is essentially compatible, but they don’t follow the pope), whereas most Orthodox Churches view the Catholic Church as heretical, meaning that the differences are significant enough to risk endangering our salvation.

 

[1ke]

Why? I don’t feel such a good friend right now. This guy really feels sinful because of me. If i knew he will react like this i wouldn’t talk to him.
I will pray for him.

Seriously, you are going to let him guilt you over your conversion?

If he wants to put on sackcloth and ashes over your conversion you cannot stop him. But there is nothing for YOU to feel bad about. There is no reason for you to believe you are not a good friend.

 

[mark_a]

In the orthodox religion you have to confess all sins, even the venial ones.

Wow!

I’d have to confess every day just to keep from having to haul around a bible sized list.

 

[cristyd]

Seriously, you are going to let him guilt you over your conversion?

If he wants to put on sackcloth and ashes over your conversion you cannot stop him. But there is nothing for YOU to feel bad about. There is no reason for you to believe you are not a good friend.

You know what, you are right. I told him it was my own choice, he can believe whatever he wants. I will never feel guilty. It was one of my best decision in this life.

 

[cristyd]

Wow!

I’d have to confess every day just to keep from having to haul around a bible sized list.

two years ago when i last confessed to the orthodox priest i had with me 3 notebook pages written with small handwritting

 

[mardukm]

Dear sister cristyd,

two years ago when i last confessed to the orthodox priest i had with me 3 notebook pages written with small handwritting

What a wonderful witness you are! I translated to the Catholic Faith from Coptic Orthodoxy. I wanted to ask – did you join an Eastern Catholic Church, or the Latin Catholic Church?

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[cristyd]

Dear sister cristyd,

What a wonderful witness you are! I translated to the Catholic Faith from Coptic Orthodoxy. I wanted to ask – did you join an Eastern Catholic Church, or the Latin Catholic Church?

Blessings,
Marduk

Latin

 

[mardukm]

Dear sister Cristyd,

Latin

Interesting (though not unexpected). I myself translated to the Coptic Catholic Church (I was in Egypt at the time), so I don’t feel I had to swim the Tiber. I felt like I crossed a little brook.

Did you know about the Eastern Catholic Churches when you became Catholic?

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[cristyd]

Dear sister Cristyd,

Interesting (though not unexpected). I myself translated to the Coptic Catholic Church (I was in Egypt at the time), so I don’t feel I had to swim the Tiber. I felt like I crossed a little brook.

Did you know about the Eastern Catholic Churches when you became Catholic?

Blessings,
Marduk

Yes i knew

 

[mardukm]

Dear sister Cristy,

I would like to invite you to lurk and - hopefully - participate in the Eastern Catholicism Forum. Your perspective having been Eastern Orthodox would certainly be a valuable contribution to the discussions that go on there.

Blessings

 

[runningdude]

In the orthodox religion you have to confess all sins, even the venial ones. In rest the sacraments are almost the same as in the Catholic Church. What do you mean by obligated?
His true motivation as i understood from him is that he must confess all sins, and if he “tainted” my mind as he thinks, he must confess it.
He is not one of the closest friends of mine. We were working toghether and we were talking toghether so maybe he is more sad of loosing an orthodox then loosing a friend to other religion.

“Obligations” are one of the subtle differences between Catholic and Orthodox. I’m not too sure I’ll be able to express the subtlety here, but for instance, a Roman Catholic is obligated by Church law to attend Mass every Sunday, and Holy Day. You my go… its your obligation.

The Orthodox perspective, from my limited understanding is, would be “why wouldn’t you attend the Divine Liturgy every Sunday? - you would be nuts not too!”. I exaggerate a bit, but its the difference in mindset I guess - Legalist vs Mystic approaches.