Why all the infighting?

[pollsfriend]

I am on my way to converting to the Byzantine Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Church, but one of the biggest things that keeps me converting is the power struggle between the various apostolic churches.

I just don’t understand why the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches consider each other’s sacrament’s valid, but their members can’t partake of the Sacraments in each others churches. I’m sure there are also various other churches that are apostolic in origin that are restricted to where they can receive the sacraments as well.

I also don’t understand why the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches can’t just come into communion with each other, and peacefully co-exist, without the EO’s necessarily regarding the Pope as the Supreme Head of the church. If this were to happen, I’d be the first one in line for catechism. Until then, I will keep wondering.

 

[The_Iambic_Pen]

I’ve seen some Orthodox say that unity can only come when the Catholic and Orthodox Churches believe as one. Part of being in communion is being in agreement on matters of doctrine. Sadly, the disagreements between Catholicism and Orthodoxy are not simply political; there are doctrinal differences. Resolution of these differences will have to precede any official communion.

On the matter of sacraments, the Catholic Church recognizes Orthodox sacraments as valid. The Orthodox Church, according to my understanding, does not make any statement either way about the validity of sacraments outside the Church (though some monks on Mount Athos probably make some pretty strong statements in the negative…).

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

I am on my way to converting to the Byzantine Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Church, but one of the biggest things that keeps me converting is the power struggle between the various apostolic churches.

I just don’t understand why the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches consider each other’s sacrament’s valid, but their members can’t partake of the Sacraments in each others churches. I’m sure there are also various other churches that are apostolic in origin that are restricted to where they can receive the sacraments as well.

I also don’t understand why the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches can’t just come into communion with each other, and peacefully co-exist, without the EO’s necessarily regarding the Pope as the Supreme Head of the church. If this were to happen, I’d be the first one in line for catechism. Until then, I will keep wondering.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for the Orthodox, but I believe Jesus established a hierarchy.

To me it only makes sense.

Without a single ultimate decision maker, you will have divisions.

Jesus wants us to be one as he and the Father are one. I don’t think this is possible without a single leader.

No division, no disagreements, just unity and love.

 

[gcnuss]

Without a single ultimate decision maker, you will have divisions.

Jesus wants us to be one as he and the Father are one. I don’t think this is possible without a single leader.

No division, no disagreements, just unity and love.

Do you think that there is no division or disagreement and that unity and love are fully realized in the Catholic Church under the leadership of the Pope?

Just from observing the interactions among Catholics here on the forum I surmise that there are some disagreements. Whether those disagreements create division and whether they hinder unity and love I do not know.

 

[pollsfriend]

I guess it just baffles me as to why the different churches can’t seem to get along. More than anything it just looks like a big political power struggle to me, and that’s a huge deterrent to myself, and possibly others, to wanting to join the Church.

From all I’ve studied, I see that EO and Roman Catholics believe in the Trinity, The Christ Died and arose from the dead, that we can achieve forgiveness of sins, the Real Presence, the communion of saints, and the list goes on.

It seems to me if the Pope, and the various Patriarchs would just humble themselves, and become “the least of these” it may draw more people in the Church. Instead, from all appearances, the just grapple for power and control. It’s pathetic.