What do Roman Catholics think about Eastern Catholics?

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Darbie

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How do the beliefs differ? Etc…I don’t know much about Eastern Catholicism or Orthodox Christianity, but would love to learn more…
 
Our beliefs do not differ. We are all in communion with the Pope. We just differ in how the Faith is expressed and with different disciplines (with a lower case t).

I for one think that all Roman Rite Catholics should attend a Divine Liturgy with one of the Eastern Catholic Rites when possible. I also think its important to attend one of the other Latin Rites when possible too.

God Bless
 
I think Eastern Catholics are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I’m looking forward to assisting at a Byzantine Divine Liturgy soon.👍
 
God only calls men who are disposed to not marrying. It is a requirement of the vocation.
No, there are plenty of men both interested in marrying and being priests who will have to make one choice or the other. Besides, what you’ve stated is not doctrinal. The point is Eastern Catholic men who are married are able to be ordained while this practice in the Western rites was dropped long ago.
 
God only calls men who are disposed to not marrying. It is a requirement of the vocation.
No, there are plenty of men both interested in marrying and being priests who will have to make one choice or the other. Besides, what you’ve stated is not doctrinal. The point is Eastern Catholic men who are married are able to be ordained while this practice in the Western rites was dropped long ago.
 
How do the beliefs differ? Etc…I don’t know much about Eastern Catholicism or Orthodox Christianity, but would love to learn more…
When you say orthodox christianity do you mean like greek or russian orthodox? They are not in communion with the Pope.
 
There are the Eastern rites in communion with Rome and then there are the Greek and Russian Orthodox that are not.
I personally love the rites in union with Rome for their history and beautiful liturgies and rubrics.
I also respect the Russian and Greek Orthodox for the same reasons. I give the same respect to their priests as I do our own as they have valid orders and have the honour of being able to call Christ to the altar and for this alone deserve my respect.
I pray for our unification and await the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
God only calls men who are disposed to not marrying. It is a requirement of the vocation.
Given the tradition in the East of a married priesthood, this statement is untrue on its face. And as a Latin Catholic, I admire the Eastern traditions’ more developed theology of the Spirit, their seemingly greater comfort with “mystery,” and - based on conversations with friends in an Eastern rite - the East’s apparent avoidance of some of the hair-splitting legalism which has characterized Western thought, and theology.
 
When you say orthodox christianity do you mean like greek or russian orthodox? They are not in communion with the Pope.
Without attempting to speak on Darbie’s behalf, I don’t think he was saying that the Orthodox are “in communion with the Pope”, I think he was just providing a little background, that he isn’t very familiar with Orthodoxy.
There are the Eastern rites in communion with Rome and then there are the Greek and Russian Orthodox that are not.
Indeed, we Eastern Catholics are Catholic (not Orthodox) just like the Western-Rite Orthodox are Orthodox (not Catholic).

Of course, it could also be pointed out that ECs and WROs are a small fraction of their respective communions, but that’s beside the point. 🙂
 
God only calls men who are disposed to not marrying.
If you don’t mind my saying, runningdude, this ^^ is not something that I would expect you to say. 🤷 What then would we say about those married men who are priests?
 
I love the influence of some of the writings of the desert fathers and have just received my copy of “Like a Pelican in the Wilderness.” I also lightly delve into the Philokalia (I only have Vol I so far) and love St. Gregory Palamas. I think what appeals the most to me is their spiritual simplicity and absolute focus on unity with God.
 
I think a lot of Roman Catholics don’t think anything about Eastern Catholics, since many don’t know about them. I know I didn’t growing up, and only discovered Eastern Christianity outside of history books (i.e. Eastern Orthodox and the Great Schism) through this site. When I first discovered it, I was very interested in learning what I could, seeing how it differs from Western theology.
Since then, my active interest has died down somewhat, but I still respect it and it is a very helpful reminder to me that God is a mystery to be appreciated and experienced, not a celestial body to be studied and understood. I haven’t yet sought out a Divine Liturgy, but if the opportunity ever presents itself, I’d love to attend one.

Random side note: I had no idea that Western Rite Orthodoxy was a thing, though it makes perfect sense now that you mention it. Thanks for continuing to educate me.
 
Without attempting to speak on Darbie’s behalf, I don’t think he was saying that the Orthodox are “in communion with the Pope”, I think he was just providing a little background, that he isn’t very familiar with Orthodoxy.

Indeed, we Eastern Catholics are Catholic (not Orthodox) just like the Western-Rite Orthodox are Orthodox (not Catholic).

Of course, it could also be pointed out that ECs and WROs are a small fraction of their respective communions, but that’s beside the point. 🙂
That is how I read his post - that he is not familiar with EC and the Orthodox.

No I didn’t read Darbie’s post as stating that. I was clarifying that those 2 orthodox churches are not in communion with the Pope like theEastern Catholics are. 🙂
 
No, there are plenty of men both interested in marrying and being priests who will have to make one choice or the other. Besides, what you’ve stated is not doctrinal. The point is Eastern Catholic men who are married are able to be ordained while this practice in the Western rites was dropped long ago.
The desire to be a priest is not directly relevant. One does not have a vocation to the priesthood if one is ineligible, due to marriage or other impediment. God simply does not call men to the priesthood that the church won’t accept.

It is doctrine that an unmarried priesthood is preferable, which is why priests both east and west are ineligible for ordination to the bishopric if one is married. While there is no doctrinal barrier to ordination due to marriage, it is a grave and explicit preference made known in scripture by Saint Paul.
 
Given the tradition in the East of a married priesthood, this statement is untrue on its face. …
Please see my elaboration above. Since the Eastern Churches do accept married men to the priesthood (though not bishopric), there is an authentic call by God for their vocations.

At the present time, this call simply does not exist for married men in the Latin Church (except in a few explicit exceptions for protestant clergy as God calls them home).
… And as a Latin Catholic, I admire the Eastern traditions’ more developed theology of the Spirit, their seemingly greater comfort with “mystery,” and - based on conversations with friends in an Eastern rite - the East’s apparent avoidance of some of the hair-splitting legalism which has characterized Western thought, and theology.
I said nothing to denigrate Eastern spirituality, and I take offense that you implied that I might by including this within your response to my post.
 
I knew very little about Eastern Catholicism until I joined this forum. Now I have deep respect and admiration among the Eastern Rites.
 
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