Easterners, what do YOU believe about the Papacy?

[Trebor135]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

But aren't Eastern Catholics, by definition, should be on their way to Orthodoxy?

If they believe in the papacy and filioque, why "should [they] be on their way to Orthodoxy"?

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by Trebor135

If they believe in the papacy and filioque, why "should [they] be on their way to Orthodoxy"?

Well, from a Catholic standpoint, the idea is for Eastern Catholics to return to their mother Orthodox Churches at the event of a reunion.

Although I know the context you are speaking with.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

But aren't Eastern Catholics, by definition, should be on their way to Orthodoxy?

Well, that's interesting.

So are you saying Eastern Catholism is a train stop on the way to Orthodoxy? You get off, but when you're ready to go to the last stop, you get back on?

[ByzCathCantor]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

But [shouldn't] Eastern Catholics, by definition, should be on their way to Orthodoxy?

That has been said, by some likely wiser than any of us, but one must consider that ECs for a long time have been considered neither fully Catholic nor fully Orthodox. I posit this must first be addressed, and in so doing, the willingness of Rome to embrace and support a real semblance of a true Communion of Churches will be most clearly proven.

I personally believe there is merit in both positions, Catholic and Orthodox, regarding the Papacy and ecclesiology more generally, yet dwelling on specifics of the history of separation will not bring us any closer to unity. A consensus on commonality of principle with a view to a model of unity of the future, featuring the strengths of both the current Catholic and Orthodox Communions would serve us well.

The most challenging obstacles seemed to have clearly come from the relatively recent post-separation assertions on Papal Infallibility and Supremacy, and thus should be addressed as such with reference to first millenial precedent. The running formal Catholic-Orthodox dialogue appears to be at this stage.

The current Pontiff and his predecessor have been most ameniable to the Eastern Churches in general, and also seemed genuinely inclined to consider a revised role of the Papacy. It is unclear if this view might be shared more broadly in the Curia, by the College of Cardinals or the Magesterium in general, and thus whether or not a likely immediate successor to Pope Benedict XVI would share this vision and viewpoint is equally unclear.

The nature of the relationship between Rome and the Eastern Catholic Churches in modern times, in fairness, also gives rise to occasional concern of Eastern Catholics and Orthodox alike.

Aside from all of that, and on a more personal level, my fathers before me believed that we were indeed Catholic, yet bound to preserve and embrace Orthodox praxis and theology, with that right granted by Rome as condition precedent to our own reunion. I am thus inclined to take this point of view, despite the challenging history. That being said, I feel we as Eastern Catholics should always strive to reflect the best of both sides, yet know this is not yet fully possible for many reasons.

I still think the best hope for unity, agreeing in principle that Eastern Catholics are indeed called to a special, intimate reunion with our Orthodox counterparts, will come only from living that reality first within the Catholic Communion as proof of the possible. Eastern Catholics thus are called, within the bounds of faithful obedience, to be insistent witnesses of the Orthodox faith within the Catholic Communion. The Catholic Church is further obligated to truly stand behind that which it teaches - that we Eastern Catholics are obliged to be faithful to our Orthodox roots and traditions, and that we are truly self-governing - without pause, exception or contradiction.

Until then, the debates (and skepticism) will continue ...

[Peter J]

Constantine, do you have a citation or link for the idea of Eastern Catholics being on their way to Orthodoxy?

I'm just asking out of interest. I realize nothing you've said necessarily implies that there's such a citation; but if there is, then I think it would be very helpful to read to precise wording.

[ByzCathCantor]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Constantine, do you have a citation or link for the idea of Eastern Catholics being on their way to Orthodoxy?

A viewpoint offered by Fr Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery

Who are Eastern Catholics? (Part II)

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Constantine, do you have a citation or link for the idea of Eastern Catholics being on their way to Orthodoxy?

I'm just asking out of interest. I realize nothing you've said necessarily implies that there's such a citation; but if there is, then I think it would be very helpful to read to precise wording.

Do you think Eastern Catholic Churches will exist in parallel to Orthodox Churches in the event of a reunion?

[Peter J]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

Do you think Eastern Catholic Churches will exist in parallel to Orthodox Churches in the event of a reunion?

I don't think I could really say.

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by Peter J

I don't think I could really say.

Well the answer is no. The destiny of all Eastern Catholic Church is to return to their mother Orthodox Churches. I've said it already on the top of this page.

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

Well the answer is no. The destiny of all Eastern Catholic Church is to return to their mother Orthodox Churches. I've said it already on the top of this page.

Why can't it be that Orthodox churches will join their Eastern Catholic brothers?

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Why can't it be that Orthodox churches will join their Eastern Catholic brothers?

They are still the parent Church. For example the Ukrainian Catholic Church has always offered to give way to the Ukrainian Orthodox Patriarch if they would come into Communion with the Catholic Church.

[TheDoors]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

But aren't Eastern Catholics, by definition, should be on their way to Orthodoxy?

It seems to me that Eastern Catholics are living in Orthodoxy, as we are not in schism.

[Peter J]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Why can't it be that Orthodox churches will join their Eastern Catholic brothers?

[Seamus L]

Exactly ! But then again, we're always hearing (from EC's) which Catholic practices are unacceptable to the Orthodox. When's the last time you've heard the same people refer to Orthodox positions that are unacceptable to Catholics ?

[Hesychios]

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Why can't it be that Orthodox churches will join their Eastern Catholic brothers?

That would be something new.

Not a return to the first millenium Christian church structure and practice, but a final destruction of it.