Why Catholicism?

[nicolep]

I agree, that being said, how on earth can Orthodox condemn Catholics as heretics for only receiving the bread if they don’t know?

Good question! Hopefully we’ll get an answer from one of the Orthodox members here.

Two different views of thinking I suppose though. I, as a Latin Rite Catholic, cannot understand how anyone WOULDN’T think they were receiving all of Jesus under one species and not the other. Then again, I’ve always know it that way. It must be harder for those raised differently wouldn’t have the same thought process.

 

[nicolep]

I know that it varies from parish to parish (diocese to diocese), but the only time we do not receive the blood in additon to the bread is during a Communion service. It’s offered at every daily Mass and each Sunday. I like that both are offered and also have the knowledge that it isn’t absolutely necessary.

 

[Madaglan]

Good question! Hopefully we’ll get an answer from one of the Orthodox members here.

Two different views of thinking I suppose though. I, as a Latin Rite Catholic, cannot understand how anyone WOULDN’T think they were receiving all of Jesus under one species and not the other. Then again, I’ve always know it that way. It must be harder for those raised differently wouldn’t have the same thought process.

Not entirely sure if I understand the question, but the Orthodox do believe that each consecrated species contains all of Jesus (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity). Yet, the consecrated Bread and Wine are meant to be offered up and given to the faithful together. Christ commanded the faithful to eat his Body and drink his Blood.

 

[Madaglan]

I think intinction (dipping the unleavened Bread into the Wine) would be great for the Latin Church.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Posted by Gabriel of 12:
History records that “all” the Eastern Patriarchs in one way or another have fallen into heresie, today many of these Eastern Patriarchs remain in heresy, confirmed by the councils of Chalcedon 451 a.d, 431 a.d council which defeated the Nestorians, then again the 2nd Ecumenical council which defeated the “Iconoclast”, these church’s found in heresy seperated themselves from their other Eastern Orthodox Church’s who remained in full communion with the Pope.

I believe all the Patriarchates have had heretical Patriarchs in their history.

The Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian, etc.) historically have been considered long have been of heretical Monophysite belief. However, through dialogue, their Christology has been shown to be Miaphysite, similiar to that of St. Cyril. They are considered schismatic by Rome, since they are not in communion with the Pope (except for a small number of Coptic Catholics). It was the 7th Ecumenical Council, that of 2nd Nicaea, which condemned the Iconoclasts.

 

[jam070406]

I think intinction (dipping the unleavened Bread into the Wine) would be great for the Latin Church.

There is a very orthodox, reverant, Slovakian Latin parish near me that does this. Kneeling, on the tongue only. For the ordinary form of the Mass. I wish other parish’a would follow the lead. It would also help to eliminate the 20 lay extraordinary ministers common at most parishes.

 

[504Katrin]

You have that back wards, I’m afraid. The Nicene Creed recited by Catholics is “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets”.

The filioque is an issue between Catholics and Orthodox because the Orthodox believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.

ETA - At least that is what I understand the Orthodox to believe. I’m no expert in the matter though.

yeah I know I had it backwards. It’s typically me. I was hoping noone would catch it but of course someone did lol

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

The Catholic Church is the oldest institution in history. But, old can mean senile. So, old, per se, is not necessarily a value. For nearly forever, the Catholic Church believed the Sun rotated around the Earth.

Would you say that the Catholic Church is as old as Christianity, or does that jepardize Christianity in your opinion?

Is Jehovah’s Witness better than Mormonism? I believe it is the younger of the two Churches. Maybe we should go with Calvary Chapel which began in the 1965?

There is no logic to this type argument. Right is right, no matter how old it is, and we’re talking about God’s ‘right’.

Christ said He would be with His Church until the consummation of the world, of course His Church is going to be old according to ‘time’.

The Catholic Church was the reigning Church, in the formation of the biblical canon. Yes, but what men thought then is not always substitutional for what men think now. Scholarship shifts. Genius of antiquity is no protection from idiocy of today, and vice versa. So, no necessary merit there, either.

Thinking of your previous paragraph we have to ask, how old are scriptures? Is this a reason to change the canon in the 1500s? Are you suggesting it is time to add to, or subtract from, scriptures again?

The Catholic Church claims inception with Peter. But, a claim does not proof make. Interpretation of what Jesus said to Peter is unsettled among biblical intellectuals. So, no go there, either.

We should discount the writings of the early Church fathers, because they’re old now anyways?

Do those intellectuals have any vested interest in finding a new interpretation of what was accepted for hundreds and hundreds of years?

History shows the one true Church of Christ, His Church, is manifested in a number of branches and denominations: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.

Each of the branches has contibuted to the whole, though each is rife with highly debatable and contentious issues.

Evidently you only have contention with the Catholic Church, since it’s the only one you found issues with in your post. Does this mean you exclude the Catholic Church as a contributing Christian Church today?

Of course, each member of his/her branch is convinced that only he/she is enlightened.

No one on earth is fully enlightened. We can only seek Him with open minds and hearts, in hopes one day we will be fully enlightened.

You pointed out all the Churches of today and admitted to the Catholic Church’s history. History shows all the other Christian Churches have roots to the Catholic Church. The questions, as the op has brought up, arise in the many differences between those Christian Churches. One Church remains the same and that is the Catholic Church.

I converted in 1985 because of those things that did not make sense. I only wanted to serve as He wants to be served, and that means following that ‘one true Church’. Since my conversion scriptures make sense, history makes sense and my faith makes sense.

Curious Seed, I’ve noticed you post, on many threads, against any aspect of Catholicism. When scriptures, other documentation and explanations are provided, you fail to respond , but you don’t miss an opportunity to move to another thread and continue what appears to be an effort to ‘divide’. Why?

 

[fred_conty]

Prodigal, congradulations, you have it right with that insight! He talks the talk.

 

[vsedriver]

Well, I have no anger against the Pope if that helps. Actually, the blatant anti-Catholicism was starting to get on my nerves, despite the fact that I’m not Catholic. Anyway, I think it’s time to stop using the internet and start visiting some Churches. I’m really not qualified yet to make a decision.

If it helps this is what made my resolve to be in Communion with the Bishop of Rome. It comes from a basic understanding of what it means to be given ‘keys’. A king would give the chief steward (prime minister) of his kingdom keys to his property and wealth. Many of the king’s stewards would have keys to various areas of their responsibility (like the wine steward would have the keys to the wine cellar) but ONLY the chief steward had ALL the keys to the kingdom. This is a true and historical understanding of the concept of being given keys of authority.

No city council or board of directors can operate without a president of council or chairman of the board. All may be equal but it is the chairman or the president who makes the deciding vote if the council can’t come to an agreement.

Peter was made chief steward and keeper of the keys by Christ himself. Peter’s successor fills his place and continues his role as keeper of the keys. You can only have one man at the tiller of a boat in order to steer her straight. Too many rudders in the water will get you nowhere.