www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Eastern Catholics speak out in MidEast

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Interesting article. But the posts about female priests and dealing with "patriarchy" is crazy. If these are the normal CR blogsters I can see why I was warned about this site. I know that those posts are just the individual thoughts of those reading the posts. Interesting article none the less.

Kyrie eleison,

Manuel

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Those kinds of opinions are normal for not only for the bloggers but for the staff and readers of the Reporter. If you want the other side you go to the National Catholic Register. My sense is that if there had been no "protest" at the synod there would not have been a story in the Reporter.

I opine that the National Catholic Reporter thrives on controversy much like a tick thrives on the blood of it's host; like a lamprey on a fish. But all the same, it often makes for an intriguing/thought-provoking read.

Hi:

This discussion is confusing me. I thought married priests are allowed. The priest at the UGCC parish I once attended is married. Is the UGCC ignoring the mandates of Rome?

In Christ:
Viking

No, the Eastern Catholics are not ignoring Rome's directions. But when these directions are self-contradicting, it becomes necessary to consider them carefully. The effort to prevent the ordination of married men to the Holy Priesthood is a case in point - this "prohibition" has never been successful, and has done remarkable damage to the Eastern Catholic Churches. It blatantly violates the mandate of Vatican II that we should maintain and restore our authentic tradition.

On the matter of Patriarchs participating in papal elections: Metropolitan Elias (Zoghby) of holy memory opposed this idea, even as His Eminence opposed the idea that the Holy See should have an automatic right to interfere in Patriarcal and episcopal elections in the Christian East.

Fr. Serge

Father Bless .

Dear Father Serge:

Why is Rome violating the mandate of Vatican 2? Is it a question of certain members of the hierarchy causing problems? If so why does Pope Benedict not call them to task and read them the riot act?

In Christ:
Converted Viking

I do not claim to account for the thought and conduct of Pope Benedict - he's better educated and older than I am, and has weighty responsibilities which have not - thank God - been imposed on me!

As for why Rome violates, even blatantly, Vatican II one must keep in mind the often complicated relationships within and around the Roman Curia. There is an excellent article by the late Archimandrite Victor (Pospishil) on the issue of the ordination of married men to the priesthood, originally published (in two parts) in Diakonia and then reprinted by St. Demetrius Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Etobicoke (Toronto), Ontario.

One also finds that while some of the Curia seeks to encourage the Eastern Catholic Churches to "flourish with renewed apostolic vigor" (Orientalium Ecclesiarum, Vatican II), others regard the Eastern Catholic Churches as the chief obstacle impeding an improved relationship between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, and hence seek to discourage the Eastern Catholics.

I could continue, but this will do for the moment.

Fr. Serge