www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West My apologies to Mr. Sweiss

Mr. Sweiss,

Please accept my apology for the harsh words and tone that I used in corresponding with you on this forum. I also ask the forgiveness of all of the others that I may have offended in my correspondence with Mr. Sweiss.

Regardless of Mr. Sweiss' tone or demeanor in addressing me or other Catholics on this forum I should not have used the tone or harsh words that I did.

I beg all of you to accept my apology. I am terribly sorry for bringing discord to the forum.

Peace,

Rob

This is a good opportunity for all of us, writer included, to reflect on our tone here. Sometimes we get very strident -- and it's all too easy for us to lose control of this in this particular medium. Things happen too quickly, someone is annoyed or upset, a quick message gets tapped off, and there it is. Perhaps we should take Admin's advice and slow down and reflect before firing off another irate posting? This goes particularly for the Orthodox participants here, as we are *guests* - but also for the Catholic participants.

Brendan

Dear Friends,

What set me off was receiving some e-mails from participants who were personally upset by some of the comments on this Forum.

What is even more interesting is how others get even more upset when one raises the point of there unnecessary nastiness to begin with.

I guess I am not ready for the kind of "dialogue" we have here and so I should be demoted to "Reader" rather than "Post-man."

Forgive me a sinner,

Alex

Dear Alex,
I'm sorry, but I have already claimed the seat of Reader. Besides, you are a better postman than I.

However, the bus has seats for all and I am selfish. Please forgive me. Your posts have been very informative and sometimes entertaining. I'd be very sad to see you leave us. This forum needs the leavening that you provide from your personal witness and the heritage you bring to us.

Sometimes unkind people are one of the crosses we must carry, while we journey on the bus toward the Communion of Saints.

Yesterday, at my Roman parish, Father talked about the Prodigal son, how he repented, how his father relented, and how the brother resented. During this Holy season, we are called to repent and to relent and to try not to resent.

I've found things posted here that have been unkind and downright mean, but I've tried to let them pass. You are a blessing to me and, I think, to the others here who are not steeped in the history and culture of the Slavic peoples. Thank you for being here.

I forgive you and will pray for you, and for those who provoke division in the Church.

Have a Holy and Blessed Great Lent

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Robin,
Please accept my apologies. You and many other are correct about my tone. It is dry and harsh as the weather. I am provocative in my statements and I am known for raising the emotions. I do believe that uniatism is a form of relativism despite its adherence to much of Orthodoxy. I know very well that I will be despised for what I just said. But that is okay. Pain is a natural response when we are disturbed. It is how we deal with that pain that is most important. I am not personal offended by your statements. I know you and others were offended by mine. We all having much growing to do in Christ. The truths I defend cannot be fully captured or explained within my limited statements. Don't let my weaknesses impede your journey into Christ. I was simply testing you and the others reactions. Only a few in these forums can read and understand me while the rest are oblivious. Welcome to the East. I hope you have an enjoyable Lenten journey.

Dear Friends,

John, you are right and I thank you for putting things in perspective for me. THank you for your kind words and I will try to control my Slavic-cum-Roumanian nature.

As for Robert Sweiss, that dedicated Orthodox Christian, that man who has given his heart so totally to Christ, that . . .

Let us thank God for His servant, Robert Sweiss.

If he were here, I'd give him a hug.

Alex

To the neutral observer (neither Catholic or Orthodox), the "bashing" and insults on this forum travel both ways and it does seem that when the Orthodox are attacked or their faith is criticized, they are very often accused of "personal attacks" by Catholics when they simply attempt to defend their faith.


But, what does one expect? This is a Catholic forum and a Byzantine one at that! A person would have to be very naive to believe Catholics can be neutral, clear minded, or even fair
minded over issues that involve their faith, which is still hegemonic and has always been. We (Ukrainian Lutherans) realize this is REALITY and do not expect Catholics to be other than what they have been for centuries; to expect them to change is very naive and unfair.

The non-Catholics that post here have forgotten that for centuries, those who dissented from Catholic doctrine or loyalty were executed. Freedom of expression and religion are not Catholic concepts, but are the product of the Enlightenment.


Those who expect to posts thoughts and convictions, that are contrary to Catholic belief and practice, should do so where freedom of expression is honored and among those people who have a history of freedom of religion and expression----not among Catholics.


Please! Excersise common sense and call to mind the history of Catholicism and remember that the child is the father of the man. What else can one expect? Seek freedom of expression elsewhere.

Agape,

I don't think your sarcasm fits your name. Or is it the other way around?

Dan L

Dear Agape,

You are a Ukrainian Lutheran?

My cousin teaches Lutheran Christianity in Germany. I have a book in German that describes your Church's history and also have a number of your prayerbooks.

I have written an Akathist or liturgical service in honour of Jan Hus which is currently being translated into German for use in a number of Lutheran parishes in Germany.

Would you be interested in a copy?

It is very good to hear from you. You are right, of course, in your comments. Please forgive me personally!

In Christ,

Alex

[Dear Agape,

You are a Ukrainian Lutheran?]

Do you belong to the Lutheran Church of the Ukraine that is kind of like the Protestant version of the Unia. The Lutheran Church that uses the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, has Icons, 40 day memorial service for the dead, etc.

I corresponded with a member of this church. If I remember correctly the Ukrainian Lutheran Church was started by a former Byzantine Catholic priest. Am I correct?

Bob

Dear Bob,

You are indeed correct! My German is rusty, but this is a very interesting church.

My cousin was attending Byzantine Catholic Seminary when he fell in love with a divorced woman.

They told him, of course, that he couldn't continue the relationship.

He then left, married and became a Ukrainian Lutheran.

This is also something similar to the Ukrainian Presbyterian movement where there was an Iconostasis, but no icons!

Alex

Dear agape,

There is a website of an independent Lutheran jurisdiction whose emblem is an Orthodox Cross on the seal of Luther.

If you had a moment to examine the site, could you tell me what you thought of it?

Here is the address:
http://members.aol.com/EvCathCh/index.HTML

God bless,

Alex

Dear Friends,

On the subject of this Christian group killing members of that Christian group, that is a no-winner any way one looks at that.

My Lutheran cousin is the first to tell me about how Lutheran slaughtered the Anabaptist groups.

The Lutherans believed in "Sola Scriptura" and basically thought that if one removed the papal tradition, one would be left with the Lutheran interpretation of the Bible.

To Lutheran horror, other groups arose that also rejected papal tradition, but, lo and behold, had a different interpretation of Scripture.

Feeling that their doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" was challenged, the Lutherans went after these other groups.

Those involved with religious intolerance have always "made a killing" so to speak.

It is good when Christian can talk about these things openly and honestly without recriminations.

It reminds me of when Pope Julius II wanted to canonize Jerome Savonarola who was burned at the stake.

When asked by his Cardinals how can the Catholic Church canonize someone who was killed by Catholics, the Pope is said to have replied, "Sin is what contaminates. The confession of sin does not contaminate."

Perhaps that Pope was a forerunner of the modern environmental movement?

Alex