Potential Convert Seeking Help

[TheMortenBay]

it would seem to admit the possibility of modification in the future.

This is what the radical elements keep saying. I don’t really know where to put this, but it seems to me, regardless of previous teaching, that the death penalty would be in breach of the commandments, i.e. a mortal sin. The Church also teaches that there is no relativism on sin (that is, you can’t make something intrinsically sinful unsinful through worldly justifications).

 

[joyfulandactive]

I am also a convert of many years now. One thing that struck me recently regarding authority is when the council (s?) decided which books would form the New Testament those final decisions were sent to the Bishop of Rome for verification. I believe I heard this on my local Catholic radio station so I would like to hear from other CAF members for confirmation, but if this is so doesn’t it show that the New Testament and therefore the Bible that we all hold so essential was only considered accurate on the sayso of the man who was in Peter’s seat? It is pretty mind blowing in terms of the Pope’s relationship and cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

I am always stumbling across incredible information like this that just confirms and builds my faith more and more.

 

[Saxum]

And yet, what this doctrinal ambiguity inevitably does is create rupture within the Church.

Our Lord Jesus asked a very important question: when he returns, will he find Faith on the earth? He also told us the parable of the tares. These two teachings provide the answer to our times.

I believe Satan has sown weeds in the Church; St. Paul VI warned us about the satanic infiltration of the Church when he remarked that the smoke of Satan has entered the sanctuary through a crack. I also believe we are currently living through the Great Apostasy; St John Paul II confirmed this in his document Ecclesia in Europa.

We are living in apocalyptic times. This is why Our Lady visited the earth an unprecedented number of times last century. Our Lord also visited St Faustina in Poland with the message that we need to trust in God’s mercy because the end is nigh.

Now is the best time to become Catholic. It was easy to be a Catholic in times past. Now, it takes genuine courage and real perseverance. The struggle we face and the battle we fight means that our reward will be greater. Join the Church Militant and fight against the principalities and powers; help the Lord save the word in this time of unprecedented evil. The Lord Jesus needs you. He has called YOU personally. He is waiting for your answer.

 

[Diaconia]

There are many threads related to comparing the Catholic and Orthodox churches. You may want to search them for additional information. This thread is already unraveling from its intended question.

My opinion is that what is most important to someone trying to decide between East and West is to understand there is a HUGE difference in the lived experience between them. Worship and the approach to theology are very different.

In the East the emphasis is on mystery and being immersed in the Liturgy, not in [Scholastic-type] precise explanations of this point or that.

For example, Western thought wants to know what precise words (and moment) accompanies the change of substance during The Eucharist. Eastern thought says the Holy Spirit accomplishes that at some time during the Anaphora. It is happy to accept the change could be gradual or immediate, at this word or that. (In the Syro-Malankar liturgy the Anaphora doesn’t even include the words of consecration.)

Perhaps most importantly is that your decision has to be an experiential one. You cannot study yourself into the East; you have to worship there over time and see if it fits.

If you attend Divine Liturgy and feel at home with that worship, and can live happily within that mystery accepting mind-set you don’t need to choose - simply become Eastern Catholic.

Deacon Christopher

 

[MomentsNotice]

Deacon Christopher,

Thank you kindly for your words of wisdom and consolation.

At this point, liturgically speaking, the East feels much more like home; I have been blessed in my being granted the privilege of regularly attending Divine Liturgies, Vigils, and services at two different Orthodox parishes. I was attending a Greek parish for several months before I moved to a different location where I was able to attend a Russian parish.

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom feels much more familiar to me than the Roman Rite (both Ordinary and Extraordinary forms) at this point, and I have the Orthodox morning and evening prayers much more internalized.

However, I am wary of allowing my subjectivity the authority to make this decision for me. I am immersing myself in Patristic literature, Scripture, and prayer. Please pray for me.

 

[Isaac14]

To me, this all touches on something inherently problematic in Orthodox ecclesiology - am I missing something?

I don’t think you’re missing anything. Separation & schism are horrible wounds on the body of Christ. But I also think history is murky enough that neither side has a nice clean easy claim to being the “true” church. Each side certainly has a lot of things to say, proof texts, etc to back up their claims, though. So sure, as an Orthodox Christian, I think you should be Orthodox. Taking a step back though and looking at it more personally, i.e. where would you best achieve salvation, is the question I come back to.

You also bring up the schism from Chalcedon, which I think can bring up some interesting points. From what I understand, a series of meetings between Eastern & Oriental theologians in the 80’s & early 90’s came to the conclusion that the issues that led to schism at Chalcedon were largely over difficulties in translation; what one side was reacting to was a misunderstanding of what the other was saying. The conclusion of these meetings was that indeed we shared the same faith and there should be no obstacle to restoration of communion. But 1500 years of separation brings a certain inertia that is rather more difficult to overcome.

Turning to a practical level though I think reveals something more interesting. In my city, we are the only Eastern Orthodox parish for several hundred miles in any direction. The nearest Oriental churches are several hundred miles away. There are a number of Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees here who attend and participate in the life of our parish. Both their clergy and ours recognize that in the absence of an Ethiopian church we are best able to serve their spiritual needs. Their children are baptized here and they can receive the sacraments. No one, however is under the illusion that communion has been officially restored, but for the sake of their souls everyone grants economia for the sake of everyone’s salvation. This sort of action, I believe, is part of breaking through that “inertia” that maintains the schism.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

Hi there. I’ve read most but not every word of this thread.Forgive me if I repeat anything already stated.

I’m sure you are likely aware of this, but we have Eastern-rite Churches under Rome’s umbrella. Very, VERY Similar to Eastern Orthodoxy. I have been to a Maronite Mass a few times and Holy Communion was distributed only by intinction. Just a example of the difference between the Latin Rite.

Years ago I was in your shoes…I obviously chose the Catholic Church. What did it for me was Matthew 16’s address to Peter…John 21 dialogue with Peter…and the claim by Orthodoxy that Peter was “First among equals”…Well, first is still FIRST.

So you could go Catholic Eastern rite.

But even if you go Eastern Orthodox, you are part of a Church with valid priesthood, Eucharist and sacraments. You are doing well for yourself in either event.