Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: magisterium

That is precisley what the problem is.

The uniate church is converting from Orthodox churches, ceasing Orthodox properties, enticing Orthodox clergy to convert by telling them they can join up no questions asked, building churches adcaent Orthodox ones deliberatly to entice folks away by seeming Orthodox but answering to Rome.

That is precisely why it is a monumental problem and not a simple issue of 'territory'; the Catholics cannot begin to speak of union if they are not ready to accept that the Orthodox are already in the apostolic church and don't need converting, and stop ceasing orthodox churches and trying to convert the orthodox parishioners, clergy, and bishops.

The uniate church is not a 'little issue of territory'.


116 posted on 11/22/2005 12:57:29 PM PST by x5452
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies ]


To: x5452

You don't seem to have a problem when Catholics convert to Orthodoxy. You invoke the apostolic nature of the Orthodox Church as a reason for the Catholic Church to stop "enticing" Orthodox over to Rome. Yet, you do not seem to be able to see the equal set of circumstances from our POV. Why do Orthodox Churches "entice" (I'll use your word)Catholics over to Orthodoxy, when they are leaving a Church with an equally apostolic nature? Or is the issue really that you don't recognize the apostolicity of the Catholic Church?

At best, BOTH sides, in different places and circumstances, are acting like children in the matter. Turf wars are unseemly. But, to the extent that a reunification of our Churches hasn't taken place yet, I do believe that the Catholic minority in the Ukraine *is* within its rights to try to get some of its historical churches back. Besides, if your beef is about "proselytizing," you should know that, last year, I think, John Paul II came out with what essentially is an order to catholics *not* to proselytize the Orthodox in Russia and Ukraine. Personally, if anything, I think he went too far, going even to the extent of all but barring converts who *seek us out*.

How awfully silly and venal this must all look to Christ!


119 posted on 11/22/2005 1:24:14 PM PST by magisterium
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson