www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall ECs of North America unite!

Are the Syriacs, Chaldeans, Maronites, Syro-Malabarese, Syro-Malankarese, Armenians, and Copts to be included in this jurisdiction? If so, there would be some diversity within the jurisdiction in terms of Rites, Tradition, and Divine Liturgy. Also, the name "Byzantine Catholic" wouldn't not apply if all these non-Byzantine Churches were included.

Dear Michael-T:

This is the insinuation the title of this thread conveyed.

Eastern Catholics are grouped, mainly, into 2: Byzantines (Slavic and Middle Eastern) and Orientals.

If the Churches of the first group can re-organize and reconstitute themselves as envisioned here, THAT would be in itself already a big achievement. As it is, the initial difficulty would be the Ukrainians, who, I presume, would rather continue their drive for a Patriarchate of their own and the probable reluctance of the Melkites to let go their NA parishes.

At his juncture, the Orientals (Malabars, Malankaras, Syriacs, Armenians, Chaldeans, Copts, Ethiopians/Eritreans, Maronites, etc.) may not be as numerous as the Byzantines that their current structures should be maintained until the opportune time to consolidate eventually comes.

The final and intriguing question would then be asked: Can the Byzantines and Orientals be joined into one jurisdiction for North America?

Amado

I like the idea of a non-ethnic Byz. Catholic Church (like the OCA). I think it is something we should explore and work towards.

In the time being, how is the relationships and collaboration between the various Churches and Eparchies? Wouldn't it make sence to work together and to get to know one another before we consider getting married?

I know that up here in Western Canada I only hear what goes on in other Churches through the internet (primarily on this forum). Heck, I barly even know how the other eparchies of my own Church in Canada, let alone how the Canadian Bishops work with the American ones.) We have never have joint efforts such as clergy retreats, youth rallies, service projects... with other Byz. Catholic Churches (or at least not to my knowledge). Why not?

Perhaps the first step that should be taken, is gathering and working on a common goal together as the North American Byz. Cath. Churches. The 'marriage' would flow more naturally if we were of one mind and action.


On another related note:
I agree with what Hesychios wrote. The Patriarchate should not be in Washington DC, but rather his throne should be in Ottawa!

I don't think we should be careful not to go from several 'national' Byz. Cath. Churches into an American 'national' Byz. Cath. Church. We need to be non- or super- national. We simply need to become a Christ centred Byz. Cath. Church that is open to all.


Good and interesting topic.

Kadylo

As I was typing my responce the last one came up.

Re: Ukrainian Catholics.

I don't believe we (UC's) would be opposed to becoming more non-ethnic, infact most of us are struggling to make our Church that way.

You may be right however about us not yet being ready to seperate from the patriarchate. But this does not mean we dont talk about how to serve the North American people better. Dont count us as an obstical yet, we may supprize you. Our Church's situation (at least in my circles) is changing every day. As the Administrator points out our demographics will change drasticly over the next 10-20 years. We live in exciting (and somewhat tence) times.


Kadylo
(a young Canadian born UGCC priest who tries to be as non-ethnic as possible.)

It should be a Church that is Byzantine, that is using the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrystostom; other Churches, with their own liturgical traditions, ought to be autonymous. Otherwise, why don't we all just become subsects of the Roman Catholic Church?
-Daniel

Dear Daniel:

Excuse me, but the Roman Catholic Church is NOT a sect, never was, and never will be!

Ditto for any and all of the Eastern Catholic Churches! :p

Amado

Amadeus- I didn't say it was, but we could be subsects [as in "sections"] of the RCC if that is the model we adopt.
-D