"True" Catholicism, traditionality, and Eastern Orthodoxy

[Nine_Two]

That’s also another thing. The Catholic Church seems very proactive in ecumenical efforts. Such notions have only seemed to get stiffness from the Orthodox.

I’m sorry, I have to disagree. Every time we have a post here about the Russian ecumenical efforts a great number jump all over then for past grievences. Most threads on RC efforts end without a single mention of Orthodox grievences.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I’m sorry, I have to disagree. Every time we have a post here about the Russian ecumenical efforts a great number jump all over then for past grievences. Most threads on RC efforts end without a single mention of Orthodox grievences.

Could you share what you mean by that, specifically? I have a fair guess as to how RCs (and ECs for that matter) might respond upon the mention of “Russian ecumenical efforts”, but in honesty and sincerity, I’m not sure what the counterarguments might be (including the Orthodox grievances to which you have alluded). Despite having reason via ancestoral experience to avoid Russian Orthodox altogether, I do proudly count many among my friends (including clergy), but have never mustered the courage to invite a dialogue on this subject for fear of damaging those friendships.

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

The Catholic Church is the one true Church, and our evangelism should take that as the truth that it is! Glory to God in the highest! Peace of Christ be with you all.

Amen!

Welcome home my brother, our Church is simply amazing. So many saints and Martyrs, miracles, graces, the sacraments etc. I get happy everytime I hear someone converting to the Church. I hope you receive the sacraments this Easter. Peace be with you!

 

[Nine_Two]

Could you share what you mean by that, specifically? I have a fair guess as to how RCs (and ECs for that matter) might respond upon the mention of “Russian ecumenical efforts”, but in honesty and sincerity, I’m not sure what the counterarguments might be (including the Orthodox grievances to which you have alluded). Despite having reason via ancestoral experience to avoid Russian Orthodox altogether, I do proudly count many among my friends (including clergy), but have never mustered the courage to invite a dialogue on this subject for fear of damaging those friendships.

I mean EC’s, particularly those of the UGCC, start accusing it of having stolen their church, oppressing the UOC-KP, etc.

 

[Jacob50]

Definitely. The Eastern Churches were trapped in terms of expansion, and they didn’t send out ships like the Western powers had. The faith did spread north to Russia, which is the only opening the Eastern Churches have, then slowly East into the rest of Russia above the Muslim nations. But with the Latins in the West, the non-Chalcedonians in the south, and Muslims in the East, it was no picnic for the Eastern Christians to spread out.

While this is true geographically speaking, we cannot take out credit to the Church regarding converting South America and those conversions in any other country/continent (be it in North America, Europe, Australia, part of Asia etc etc.).

Also don’t you think God must have thought that firsthand? He said:
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”

You cannot deny that the Catholic Church has had more missionaries than any other religion, has played a fundamental role spreading the Gospel throughout the whole world than any other Christian Church and is much more influential than any other Church throughout the whole world and throughout history. There is no other institution in the whole world that defends life (i.e. pro life) than the Catholic Church.

As such, to me the Catholic Church is more closer to be the Church read in Matt 28:19 than any other Christian Church. Even though there are more Muslims than Catholics (according to an article I read), the Muslims are like concentrated in a couple of countries like in the middle east (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan etc) while Catholicism is more wide spread. Of course, a church having more numbers does not mean it is the True Church because of that. But truly the Church must be worldwide as that was the language Jesus used (Nations) and that many Church Fathers used (Augustine, Cyril of Jerusalem and others etc.).

While one can argue that Orthodoxy was more, say “surrounded” In the East, West and South, like Constantine posted,that doesn’t take away the fact that The Catholic Church is responsible for countless conversions throughout the whole world. Countless Miracles and Saints. It has brought much life to our world baptizing countless people like myself. And that is nothing else, than the power of the Holy Spirit.

I’m glad this brother, is converting to Catholicism.
To Mort Alz: Brother in Christ, im happy for your conversion.