NOTE FROM MODERATOR: Strict enforcement in Eastern Catholicism right now

[Catherine Grant]

I occasionally have to remind the board of some of our policies and it's that time again. I will be strictly enforcing forum rules for a little while to get us back to smooth-running equilibrium, especially those guidelines I've quoted below. Please remind yourself of the expectations for posting in the Eastern Catholicism Forum before continued posting: Important Eastern Catholicism Forum Information

Problems with inappropriate content should be reported via the "Report Post" feature. Just click the image in the problematic post and fill out the form. Ideally the complaint should cite the specific rule than has been transgressed. For reference, forum rules are posted here.

May God Bless You Abundantly,
Catherine Grant
Eastern Catholicism Moderator

PLEASE KEEP EACH THREAD ON-TOPIC

When you have a new topic to discuss, please look for existing threads on the same topic and post to them.

If there is not an existing thread on the topic, please start a new one in the appropriate forum instead of inserting an off-topic post into another thread. You may post a link to the new discussion in the original thread.

Please make descriptive thread titles so that all know what will be discussed inside the thread.

Thank you for your assistance!

WRITE THE MOD DIRECTLY, NOT IN A THREAD

It is becoming a problem for me when people post comments in a thread where the readers can't do anything about it, but don't write me when I can.

If a thread might belong somewhere else, people comment in the thread, and I'm not told, the thread doesn't get moved. If I then see that it needs to be moved, it looks funny to read the thread in Apologetics asking throughout if it should belong elsewhere when the elsewhere is really where it is. It can be very confusing.

The best policy is to respond to the topic of the thread if you want to, and to write me a private note explaining why you think that topic belongs on another board. You can reach me through a PM or by clicking the red triangle in the upper right of a post.

UNIATE, SCHISMATIC, AND HERETIC MAY NOT BE USED AS GENERIC DESCRIPTORS

Historically, the term Uniate was employed relatively freely by the Catholic Churches, including those of the East and Orient, as well as by the Orthodox Churches.

During a period in the 20th century, it took on a pejorative nature when it was perceived as being used sneeringly by some Orthodox (principally those of the Eastern, rather than the Oriental, Churches). As a result, the Eastern and Oriental Catholics ceased using the term in reference to themselves, particularly in America, where the majority of CAF's posters reside.

In recent history, there has been some increase in the use of the term by Rome itself and by some Eastern and Oriental Catholics. The subject has been much discussed here in the past, expressing that a large segment of CAF's Eastern and Oriental Catholics continue to view the term to be an offensive pejorative. As such, the abiding guideline was a ban of the term uniate, along with heretic and schismatic (and their derivative forms), when they are used in a manner that smacks of them being confrontational, contemptuous, disparaging, inciteful, insulting, taunting, or worse.

Knowing the offense taken by many of the Eastern and Oriental Catholics who post here, and knowing the historical context for their concern, using the term uniate as a generic descriptor for Catholics of the Eastern and Oriental Churches who are in union with Rome is by nature confrontational and uncharitable and as such is not allowed. Likewise, the use of the terms schismatic or heretic may not be used as generic descriptors for any of the Eastern or Oriental Churches, whether Catholic or Orthodox.

An example of acceptable usage of the terms is a direct quote of a third-party document which is otherwise pertinent to an ongoing discussion. Care should be taken by all posters that their choice of words foster an environment in which it is possible to discuss, dialogue, dissent, and even debate without causing offense or acrimony between posters.

Note that ascribing these terms to the faithful or to individual members of any of the Apostolic Churches is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Please review our Charity guidelines first, and if you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a forum moderator.

[dochawk]

Thank you.

The forum was becoming unreadable.