www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West EO or EC?

I am a Lutheran (LCMS) seriously considering Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism. One of the concerns I have about EC is that the Divine Liturgy, Theology, etc is all there and yet it seems as if you have to capitulate to Rome. Also EC treatment by Rome has not been stellar either. With regard to the married Priesthood Rome sends mixed messages to the EC Churches does it not? I'm just wondering how you can be content in that type of environment wouldn't it be better to be full-blown EO?

It's not a matter of capitulation. What you have to decide for yourself is: Is a united Church with Rome as primus of God's plan or is it not. There are all kinds of nuances and pro/cons in practice for all sides.

By the way, you left out the OO, the Assyrians, and the non-Byzantine Catholic Churches, why did you not consider these? One of the beauties of Catholicism, as I see it, is that I as a Malankara Syrian am fully united to a Byzantine Melkite, and to a Latin, and to an Anglican Use, and to a Chaldean, etc. This is truly complete, universal, and orthodox.

Good Perspective Michael and you are right I did leave them out of the mix and I like the way you tie those groups all together under the One, Holy, Catholic, Church. I'm really in a discernment process right now and of all the groups I have had the least interaction with are ECs like yourself who are in Communion with Rome and the Papacy and yet are able to preserve the Eastern Ethos, Theology, etc. I absolutely love the Divine Liturgy.

Hi Wayne. Let me first say that I'm really glad you are considering Eastern Catholicism. I find that most Protestants-considering-Catholicism only really consider the Latin Church.

Having said that, I would also echo what Michael said: you should look at Catholicism as a whole ... Roman, Greek/Byzantine, Maronite, Coptic, and so on and so forth. We're all different (in ways) but we're all Catholics.

Finally, if you feel like sharing I'd be interested in hearing more about your circumstances. Is there an Eastern Catholic parish(es) near you?

Thank You Peter. There is one EC Church in the entire State of New Mexico and it's about 30 minutes from me in downtown Albuquerque called Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church. I haven't visited it yet and have been attending an EO parish and a RC parish much closer to where I reside. As far as circumstances I'm also in a pickle as my wife isn't ready to journey with me at this time so that has made it more difficult.

Welcome to the board, Wayne, I'm new here, too. I sort of know where you're coming from, but my situation is a little different. I'm a cradle Catholic who is just dipping his toes into Eastern Christianity to learn more about it and grow, but I'm married to a Protestant, so this is a solo journey for now. I've only been to one Divine Liturgy so far by myself, but my wife has agreed to go with me sometime in the future!

Hauling the kids with should be fun. We totally won't stand out or anything.

I think I know someone that goes there.

Perhaps one day the letters could be: EOC!



Alex