Why are there Different Catholic Churces?

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I see a lot of questioning “Protestant” beliefs and divisions on this thread.

My question is, why are there different beliefs between the Catholic churches; ie. Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, etc.?

I am not trying to promote the “I am right you are wrong” mentality. Neither am I trying to show hypocrisy. I am a Protestant and am leaning toward Catholicism, but I have questions as to why I should. I have seen the answers that Jesus appointed Peter as head of the church (Matt 16:18). If that is the case then there should only be one Catholic Church not several types, imo.

Again I am just seeking answers not trying to start fights which, do nothing more than spread the division within the Christian faith.
 
david75 said:
I see a lot of questioning “Protestant” beliefs and divisions on this thread.

My question is, why are there different beliefs between the Catholic churches; ie. Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, etc.?

I am not trying to promote the “I am right you are wrong” mentality. Neither am I trying to show hypocrisy. I am a Protestant and am leaning toward Catholicism, but I have questions as to why I should. I have seen the answers that Jesus appointed Peter as head of the church (Matt 16:18). If that is the case then there should only be one Catholic Church not several types, imo.

Again I am just seeking answers not trying to start fights which, do nothing more than spread the division within the Christian faith.
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The incredible thing to me is that these Churches are united in their beliefs-apparent differences coming from historical diversity and yet ending with doctrine that complements rather than contradicts each other.each- and also united under the Roman Pontiff. Other, cultural, differences are to be expected but are irrelevant.
 
david75 said:
I see a lot of questioning “Protestant” beliefs and divisions on this thread.

My question is, why are there different beliefs between the Catholic churches; ie. Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, etc.?

I am not trying to promote the “I am right you are wrong” mentality. Neither am I trying to show hypocrisy. I am a Protestant and am leaning toward Catholicism, but I have questions as to why I should. I have seen the answers that Jesus appointed Peter as head of the church (Matt 16:18). If that is the case then there should only be one Catholic Church not several types, imo.

Again I am just seeking answers not trying to start fights which, do nothing more than spread the division within the Christian faith.
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Hi David and welcome,

There are 23 “churches” that make up the Catholic church. As a member of any one of those you can receive the scaraments and attend without doubt of going to a vaild Mass.
They are all united with the Bishop of Rome (Pope) Different expression of the same faith.
 
david75 said:
My question is, why are there different beliefs between the Catholic churches; ie. Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, etc.?
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There is one Catholic Church and those you mention above all belong to the one Catholic Church.

The various Rites of the Church do not have different beliefs. They have different Liturgies. For example, the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church conducts their liturgy in Greek and use the ancient liturgy of the Byzantine Empire while the Roman Catholic (properly termed Latin Rite Catholic) uses a different liturgy.
david75 said:
I have seen the answers that Jesus appointed Peter as head of the church (Matt 16:18). If that is the case then there should only be one Catholic Church not several types, imo.
Click to expand...
Their is only one. Your misunderstanding lies in what function Rites serve, which differ in discipline and liturgy, not doctrine.
 
Scripture reveals ; Ephesians 4:4
2 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

All of the Church’s you mention are all Catholic holding to one Lord, One faith and One baptism. This has always been since Pentecost.

We do not have different belief’s, what we believe and practice is all the same, but in the form of different Rites excercised from diverse languages and cultures, never the less the validity of Holy orders (Christ ordained priesthood) and valid sacraments are contained within each Catholic Rite, which consists of 23 different rites, but they are all one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. All these are in full communion with Peter’s Chair (Matthew 16:14-19) presiding in the bishop of Rome the Pope, for the first 1000 years.

When you hear of opposing views in Catholicism, these generally come from authority issues and unsettled issues from clarified defended apostolic doctrine by the Popes against heresies throughout the ages, which has resulted in schisms (tears) from authority issues, due mainly from a minority “Orthodox” Catholics, which you did not list, who maintain their Apostolic succession and valid sacraments as do all Catholics who are in full communion with the Popes.

Peace be with you
david75;7760490]I see a lot of questioning “Protestant” beliefs and divisions on this thread.
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My question is, why are there different beliefs between the Catholic churches; ie. Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, etc.?
Click to expand...
 
1ke said:
There is one Catholic Church and those you mention above all belong to the one Catholic Church.

The various Rites of the Church do not have different beliefs. They have different Liturgies. ** For example, the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church conducts their liturgy in Greek** and use the ancient liturgy of the Byzantine Empire while the Roman Catholic (properly termed Latin Rite Catholic) uses a different liturgy.

Their is only one. Your misunderstanding lies in what function Rites serve, which differ in discipline and liturgy, not doctrine.
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Actually, most of the Byzantine Catholic Churches do not conduct their liturgies in Greek.
 
The word “catholic” means “universal.” Indeed, there is only one Catholic Church but she is composed of many particular churches localized according to how the faith developed in different countries and usually identified according to their native languages. They are joined together in like manner as the various states in the U.S. or the various nations in the E.U. Each has its own particular liturgical traditions and laws. Each also has its own top bishop (that is, one who leads his particular church in the same manner as the Pope leads the Latin church) - his title varies according to rite. However, the Pope in Rome is recognized as the “first” among them just as St. Peter was the “first” among the Apostles.

Most of the Eastern Catholic churches are “remnants” of the Orthodox churches that split from the Latin church (and the See of Peter) so long ago. They returned into communion because they recognized the necessity of communion with the Bishop of Rome. (The Maronites never split in the first place).

There is great value in maintaining the Eastern churches as they are. Their understanding provides a different perspective to the Gospel that helps us to understand on a deeper level. As a comparison, you are probably familiar with the debate concerning Calvinism. The Calvinist emphasizes the Sovereignty of God - unfortunately to the expense of Free Will. A person arguing against Calvinism often advances Free Will at the expense of God’s Sovereignty. Both are absolute and neither can be denied. There are similar debates between East and West. When you ask a Western Christian why Jesus died, he will likely say “to take our sin.” If you pose the same question to an Eastern Christian, he might say “to heal our relationship with God.” Both are correct and neither would be complete without recognizing the other. When you bring together the full Eastern church and the full Western church, then you finally have the true Catholic Church.

I encourage you to learn more about the Eastern Catholic churches on the Eastern Catholicism forum on this board. It has really helped me grow in understanding the Faith even as presented in the Latin church.
 
Although traditions can be different, they are, at their core, the same.

Churches are handed down traditons with the Word at the core. This includes the Bible and the word-made-flesh, Jesus.

It’s kinda like natives…compare escimos vs Amazons. They are no more or less VALID life styles. They just fit the culture. So long as remember what we are worshiping (Jesus) the varitations in the ceremony itself become uninmprtant.
 
Thank you all for your replies, I know have a better understanding.
 
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