www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West From Orthodox to Catholic Journey Home Interview

I am currently listening to a "Journey Home" EWTN interview regarding a Greek Orthodox to Catholic (I assume Roman Catholic) conversion. I would like to hear the opinions of everyone regarding this interview. The interview can be found by scrolling down a little and looking on the right side of the page. Click on "From Orthodox to Catholic"

http://www.fisheaters.com/responses.html

A bit one-sided on the polemics and a lot of brushing aside the differences, such as 'development of doctrine', which is rejected even by many Eastern Catholic Churches. Also, an unfounded attack against the Melkites.

Too bad. Would have been better if an Orthodox or Melkite scholar or priest were present to refute the misstatements.

Development of doctrine is rejected by Eastern Catholic *Churches*, or members of Eastern Catholic Churches?

That's a huge difference.

Logos - Alexis

I just listened--and it's James Likoudis. That explains it all.

Everyones story deserves to be heard even if we dont always agree with it.
Stephanos I

Dear Father Stephanos,

I have to agree with that.

Would posters be so dismissive of one's story if it were the opposite way around? In my humble opinion, I think that rather than judge our brothers, we should all be focusing on our personal salvation and how we can love, respect and understand each other better.

Respectfully,
Alice, a sinner

I did not mean to sound dismissive, but his tone and his attitude about the Orthodox, and the Melkites, left a lot to be desired in the realm of ecumenism. And his remark that Our Lady of Fatima called for Russia's conversion to Catholicism?!?! I've read some of his stuff. Not a poster child for Catholic/Orthodox relations. Just my $.02.

Dear John K,

Please forgive me. I had not actually heard the recording nor was I aware of the positions and attitudes set forth by this particular person. In light of what you have said, I understand your annoyance.

In Christ,
Alice

"I've read some of his stuff. Not a poster child for Catholic/Orthodox relations. Just my $.02."
I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian who has also read some of this man's writings. He seems to be carrying around a lot of anger and wants to reduce the Eastern Orthodox Church as a carricature of herself.
I understand that people changes churches, but with him there is this note of anger.

One notes the similar attitude in reverse from some of the posters here who join the Orthodox Church.

Karl,

Is that a tu quoquo? I personally think that the kind of attitude that we all condemn is one that is a temptation for anyone who changes churches, beliefs, or religions. John Doe changes from Church A to Church B, so now to justify himself, he must draw as great a contrast between Church A and Church B as possible (to the point of caricaturing Church A). One can find converts in all of the Churches who have this attitude. One who makes a decision of conscience that involves changing ecclesial communions has a special obligation to be just in one's appraisal of things. God bless.

Joe

I'm listening to the audio. One-sided and distorted it certainly is. In light of a number of Mr. Likoudis' claims, I want to submit something, just to balance things out. Mr. Likoudis claims that Papal supremacy was always recognized by the Church from the beginning. Here is a quote from Pope Gregory the Great. I found this while parousing some discussion of the primacy of Peter on other forums. I reproduce a quote here that was posted by an Orthodox priest. I do so only as food for thought.

Here is what the Pope writes to Pope Eulogius of Alexandria (Epistle XL.)
"Your most sweet Holiness [Pope Eulogius of Alexandria] has spoken much in your letter to me about the chair of Saint Peter, Prince of the apostles, saying that he himself now sits on it in the persons of his successors.
"And indeed I acknowledge myself to be unworthy, not only in the dignity of such as preside, but even in the number of such as stand. But I gladly accepted all that has been said, in that he has spoken to me about Peter's chair who occupies Peter's chair. And to him it is said by the voice of the Truth, To thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matth. xvi. 19). And again it is said to him, And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (xxii. 32). And once more, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Feed my sheep (Joh. xxi. 17). Wherefore though there are many apostles, yet with regard to the principality itself the See of the Prince of the apostles alone has grown strong in authority, which in three places is the See of one. For he himself exalted the See in which he deigned even to rest and end the present life [Rome]. He himself adorned the See to which he sent his disciple as evangelist [Alexandria]. He himself established the See in which, though he was to leave it, he sat for seven years [Antioch]. Since then it is the See of one, and one See, over which by Divine authority three bishops now preside, whatever good I hear of you, this I impute to myself.� (Book VII, Epistle XL)

The original source:
http://forums.catholic.com/showpost.php?p=2004490&postcount=28

Did you ever hear John Paul II refer to himself as the servant of the servants of God?

Would you use his humble references to himself and the times when he elevates the importance of his brother bishops as a refutation of Petrine Primacy?

Mary

Mary,

I didn't really mean to post the quote as a refutation of the papacy. Rather, it was just to show that the supremacy of papal authority, as Likoudis seems to understand it, is not self-evidently present in the early Church. All quotations from the fathers require contextual interpretation of course. BTW, the title "servant of the servants of God" was initially used by Gregory I. Even if one holds to a strong notion of papal primacy, one still has to see that the ancient bishops of Rome saw their authority as shared with their brother bishops.

Joe

Dear Joe,

I appreciate this perspective very much. I was indeed aware that the phrase of servants does come from Gregory I and I also know that our greatest popes through the centuries have been possessed of a humility that is almost painful to observe.

It is unfortunate that the doctrine of petrine primacy has been judged by the worst of our popes, rather than by the best.

Nonetheless there is room for Mr. Likoudis to make the kinds of statements that he makes, concerning the papal office, and they are no less outlandish than the counter-claims that there are no signs of papal primacy from the fathers of the first thousand years.

I prefer the balanced approach that you and I appear to share...

I think we, this generation, have been charged with seeking the meaning in the teaching and it seems to me that is the more fruitful course.

All puns intended by order of the management.

Mary