Tomdstone;12692214]Please see post #4. Today there are major theological differences between the two Churches.
The Western theological expression of the apostolic faith differs from the Greek Orthodox theological expressions of the Apostolic faith, although the substance of the Apostolic faith does not differ specifically expressed from the divine economy of salvation and grace revealed from Apostolic succession and the sacrament of holy orders.
The Greek Orthodox may object and place false claims that misinterpret the Western theological expression of the Apostolic Catholic faith. In addition some Greek Orthodox members take it upon themselves to reject to learn and come to the understanding’s of the West’s theological expression that matures in understanding from the divine seed planted by Jesus Christ of the apostolic faith that is expressed in every age from diverse tongues, tribes, nations and peoples.
The Orthodox Church has not changed but still maintains the theological tradition it professed in 1054 when the Greek Patriarch was excommunicated by a letter placed on the altar of the Hagia Sophia by a Roman Catholic papal legate.
I pray that the Orthodox never move from her apostolic faith. The problem with the Orthodox, her theological expression and understandings remains stagnant to an ever changing world. While the West has continued the fight of faith to be proclaimed to new peoples, tongues and tribes (cultures, languages) so that these can come to the full understandings and unchanged apostolic faith expressed in a language and understanding so that the apostolic faith never changes in any age, never mind the internal power struggles that have plagued the Church in both East and West.
Further, the Roman Catholic crusaders have stolen priceless treasures from the Greek Orthodox Churches in 1204 and these items have not been returned. Many of these stolen treasures remain in Roman Catholic Churches all over Europe, such as St. Mark’s in Venice, for example
. There is plenty of blame of Church stealing on both sides. Only reveals the Church militant encompasses true sinners and true saints. This only reveals compatibility not a difference.
Also if a Roman Catholic converts to Greek Orthodox, is he excommunicated or not? A situation arose in this area where a prominent Roman Catholic did so and the bishop declared that he was excommunicated. If the bishop of Rome does not reject communion with the Greek Orthodox, why then is a Catholic excommunicated if he converts to the Greek Orthodox Church?
I thought our discussion referenced the bishop of Rome being refused communion with some Greek Orthodox Church’s. You raise the question of a lay person. I don’t know all the specifics to your example.
Maybe the bishop declared officially the communion of the person in question is no longer Latin and no longer his responsibility?
I find it rare for the Catholic Church to officially excommunicate a lay person, when a lay person does not reach the full deposit of faith and understanding as a priest, bishop would with holy orders. In fact I don’t know of any lay person being excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Although, a Lay person have been known to self excommunicate themselves from the Catholic Church.That said a bishop is free to exercise his authority within his diocese and is not dictated by the bishop of Rome so long as abuse does not take place.
So the question is; did the bishop excommunicate a lay person from his responsibility of the lay person’s soul by His divine authority or did the bishop excommunicate the lay person from the whole Catholic faith? Do you know the internal and external exact specific facts to declare a Catholic bishop excommunicated a lay person?
For a bishop to do such a thing, He will know facts that is usually not exposed to external sources to respect and protect the excommunicated. This is a rare situation you bring up here.