Spiritual Implications of Not Being in Communion with Rome

[Homerun]

The Catholic Church recognizes that the Orthodox have valid sacraments via apostolic succession, beautiful liturgies, and a worthy spirituality.

From Unitatis Redintegratio, Vatican II Document on Ecumenism:

The very rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern Churches should be known, venerated, preserved and cherished by all. They must recognize that this is of supreme importance for the faithful preservation of the fullness of Christian tradition, and for bringing about reconciliation between Eastern and Western Christians.

My question is: what is the implication on one’s soul (in terms of life and death, heaven and hell) of being schismatic, given the validity of the Orthodox liturgy and sacraments?

 

[Cavaradossi]

The Catholic Church recognizes that the Orthodox have valid sacraments via apostolic succession, beautiful liturgies, and a worthy spirituality.

From Unitatis Redintegratio, Vatican II Document on Ecumenism:

My question is: what is the implication on one’s soul (in terms of life and death, heaven and hell) of being schismatic, given the validity of the Orthodox liturgy and sacraments?

How can those who were never part of your church be schismatics, just out of curiosity? I don’t recall anybody in the Orthodox Church being over 900 years old.

 

[Khalid]

If you know the fullness of the truth is in the Catholic Church, the spiritual implication for refusing communion is Hell.

If you do not know the fullness of the truth is in the Catholic Church, we can not say with certainty what the spiritual implication is, although it is certainly dicier than being in communion with Rome.

All of this post-Vatican II “truth in other religions and traditions” stuff comes down to, at the most basic level, that old objection to Pascal’s wager: “does God favor sincere disbelief, or insincere belief?”

 

[GaryTaylor]

All are called to be communion with Rome, though the situation with the EO is very different.

Peace