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Greetings to all of you E-Christians, one and all :)

My name is Ben, and I am a native of Maine. As for a my faith, I am a Catholic by birth and baptism, though I have tread along quite an interesting religious journey and spiritual odyssey. I used to actively post on other Catholic forums, but I have been on hiatus from such activies for a while now.

The best way to describe myself is a "fence sitter" between Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy. My grandmother's side of the family is Serbian, which gives me that vital link to Orthodoxy. But, I am engaged to marry an outstanding, wonderful, upright Catholic woman with a good family and morals, so I have an obligation to her to create family unity, thus Catholic.

Frankly, I find much to disagree with about Rome's doctrines regarding papal supremacy/infallibility. I have NOT come to this forum to stir any hornets' nests or cause ire, but simply to learn from others about their experiences and anxieties.

"God grant you many years." And may the Almighty bless you and yours.

Ben,

Welcome to the forum - always nice to have another New Englander here, even one who has relocated to the land of sunshine. It's also nice to have another person with Serb ancestry join us - my good friend and brother, John, has been the only active Serb member here for quite a while.

You specifically mention Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but I'm presuming that your Catholic background is in the Latin Church. LOL, regarding your concerns about stirring hornets' nests or causing ire. You'll find a full - a very full - range of opinion here, among both our Eastern Catholic and Orthodox members, as well as our Latin Catholic and other members, on all the points that concern you.

Many years,

Neil

Hello fellow E-Christians :) My name is Ben. I am a native of pristine Northern New England, but I am currently stationed out here on the West Coast for the past few years.

As for my faith, well, to say the least I have definitely been treading (often stumbling) along a winding spiritual path that often feels like an anxiety-ridden religious odyssey; at this point, I am best described as a "fence-sitter" between Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I am a Roman Catholic by birth and baptism, though I have often come to doubt some of the claims of the Vatican (especially the doctrines of papal supremacy and infallibility). My grandmother and her descendants are Serbian, and that provides my vital link to Orthodoxy. However, I am engaged to an outstanding, upright Catholic woman with genuine family values, so I feel a moral obligation to maintain unity in our soon wedding in regards to faith.

But a substantial part of my mind believes that the differences between the "Two Lungs" are unnecessary and lacking in the heightened importance of previous generations. Given the horrid state of affairs today, the Church must be strengthened to combat the plague of spiritual anarchy and moral relativism.

I used to post in other Catholic forums, but after some harsh life conditions that knocked me off balance for a while, I took quite a long hiatus from such activities. I come to the forum tonight not to stir any hornets' nests or spread malcontent, but I hope to engage with other Christians who have experienced similar quandaries, and I hope to simply learn.

God's blessing to you and yours. "God grant you many years."

Thank you Irish. I miss New England terribly. As you know, especially this year, we've had plenty of hot sun there. But I love my snow as well.

Yes, by Catholic I mean "Latin Rite," though I never heard any Latin at Mass until I was in my very late teens. (I understand the terminology of the Rite, though, that it doesn't imply the language). :)

Ooops, sorry for that repeat. Bad delays in my typing. Nonetheless, thank you for the welcome.

From one newbie to another i say welcome,

We are in a similar position, though not quite the same.

it can be a quandary at times.

BenjaminRH and gonesimera:

Chrsit is in our midst!!

Welcome to the forum. The delays in your posts appearing come fromt he fact that all new members are under full moderation for a trial period to be determined case-by-case. We've had to do this because of past problems with new members. Sorry, don't take it personally.

Your posts don't appear until a moderator is online and can read and release each post.

Bob
Moderator