[kosta50]

My impression of Catholicism, especially today, is that there is more an attitude of "if a belief isn't forbidden or declared to be heresy, then it is a valid and acceptable part of the Catholic tradition, as long as some Catholics believe it."

That deos seem to be the imprfession I got. Any comments form the Latin side?

So, no, it really isn't accurate to state that Orthodox Christians can choose to believe in purgatory just because it hasn't formally been declared to be off-limits

That just about summs it up. Unless it has the concensus patrum, it is not Orthodox.

[jo kus]

Unless it has the concensus patrum, it is not Orthodox.

What makes something "concensus patrum"? Seventy-five percent of opinions are for something? If 5 Fathers mention a particular belief, and 3 of them teach "x" and 2 teach "y", does that make it "concensus patrum"? I am a bit confused on this, as in my studies of the development of doctrine that led to subsequent counciliar doctrine, we almost always find some dissenting opinions among the Fathers.

Regards