As Eastern Rite Catholics, we certainly sit in the middle of these perplexing questions. We are the so-called “Orthodox in Communion with Rome”.
Despite the fervent support of both the current and +former Pontiff, we are still not well understood by our Latin Rite brothers and sisters. On the other side, questions understandably arise as to our adherence to Orthodox principles. Hence the need for and potential benefits of forums such as this …
Eastern Catholics suffered terrible trials from all directions over the centuries, including those suffered by our faithful Ruthenian and Ukrainian immigrants to the US, ironically as they came to a country founded in significant part on the principle of religious freedom.
What’s at the heart of it? Why do we continue to subject ourselves to such angst? Certainly love of God and the spiritual heritage with which we have been truly blessed. But also, surely in our hearts we still believe that both sides (Catholicism and Orthodoxy) have much more in common than that which separates us.
We are joyful when we have Orthodox guests in our church that are now welcome to partake in the Holy Eucharist with us, some of whom are likely family members that were “faithfully separated” from us and are now amongst the Orthodox faithful. All of this is done not in secret but freely and openly, with the full consent and support of Rome, and as a privilege under Canon Law. Whether or not we can call this true reunion or communion in the fullest sense, I do thank God that we’ve at least come this far in my lifetime.
We are joyful in the US when the hierarchs of ACROD and OCA come to Episcopal enthronements of our Eastern Catholic hierarchs, and we are movingly consoled when they also respectfully attend the funerals of those hierarchs who have been called to their eternal repose. I pray we will see ranking representatives from both once again this week at the funeral of +Bishop Andrew Pataki, the recently departed Bishop Emeritus (retired) of the Eparchy (Diocese) of Passaic. Surely much leadership has been provided and visibly demonstrated in recent years by these hierarchs (living and recently deceased) to mend that which has separated us.
Would anyone have dreamed this possible even a generation ago, knowing the history of the Ruthenian and Ukrainian faithful of Eastern Catholic heritage here in the US?
Let us open our hearts!
P.S. Apologies to the originator of this thread if you are unaware of some of the history alluded to above. I’m reasonably certain that other contributors to this thread are, and I do hope and pray we can continue to work toward better unity of faith.
