[Conservative til I die]

This article really sums it up well. It's not a matter of "allowing" or "changing the rules". It's allowing the East to keep the Tradition its always kept. And conversely, clerical celibacy that the Western Church has largely kept since the early centuries after the death of Christ.

Accordingly, being equal brethren, the Eastern and Western portions of the Church should respect each others' traditions.

[NYer]

Accordingly, being equal brethren, the Eastern and Western portions of the Church should respect each others' traditions.

I believe that to already be true, at least judging from my own experience with the Maronites. Our pastor is bi-ritual - Maronite and Latin Rites. He throws himself into his work as a priest, ministering to the small Maronite congregation, assisting the Roman Catholic diocese, assisting as Chaplain in a local hospital and serving a shrinking community of Knights. When the parish woman's group meets, he lends his support by attending and tossing out vital suggestions on how to grow the guild. On weekends, one ofen finds him in full clericals, up a ladder repairing the roof of our small church or looking for leaks at the future church. In 4 short years, he has taken a community on the verge of collapse and injected them with renewed faith and fervor. He can be anywhere for anyone because he took a vow of celibacy. May God richly reward and bless this humble servant!

[RKBA Democrat]

"Accordingly, being equal brethren, the Eastern and Western portions of the Church should respect each others' traditions."

Amen, amen, amen.

I wonder how many schisms within the church would have been prevented or more quickly healed had we simply stuck to that advice.