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An Italo-Albanian friend of mine remarked that the reason why he would never leave the Catholic Communion is because of the Orthodox teachings on abortion, contraception, and divorce. My understanding is that there is some jurisdicitonal differences in the teachings on all three of these issues which also vary from the Catholic. Can anyone enlighten me on these differences and are they a factor in why the Union is just and right?

Dmitri

Dear Dmitri,

From what I can tell, these are the actual differences between the two Church communions on these issues:

1) Divorce. The Orthodox Church will allow it through the Church's bishops on a case by case situation. The Catholic Church is against divorce, but will allow "decrees of nullity" pretending, er, sorry - affirming that the marriage of several years was never a valid one in the first place. Or so the psychologists tell the bishops . . .

2) Birth control. The Orthodox Church believes as the Catholic Church does that couples should have as many children as they can feed and educate. Artificial means of birth control are allowed, along with natural means, as long as no abortifacients are involved. The Orthodox Church stays out of the bedrooms of its members.

The Catholic Church formally teaches against artificial birth control in all cases. Catholic theologians often disagree. Most Catholics informally practice artificial birth control. But what they do has no bearing on the teaching of the Church since they are invincibly ignorant.

3)Abortion. Both Orthodox and Catholic Churches are against abortion in all cases.

It seems to me the Churches are united on these three points.

Alex

Orthodox Christian,

So there is no formal declaration of annulment in Eastern Orthodoxy? Sorry, I don't know.

Vladimir

Seriously? That's kinda sad.

Many Catholics know what the Christ through the Church teaches with regard to these sins, but willingly disobey. They're not invincibly ignorant and will be held accountable on Judgement Day. It doesn't matter whether 99.99% of Church members disagree/disobey divine teachings, they're still true.

ChristTeen287

Dear Vladimir,

There is less bureaucracy in this respect in Orthodoxy, but the bishops will give a decree of nullity or divorce or whatever.

I think Orthodoxy is more "honest" in allowing for marital separation than the RC Church with its "nullity" nonsense - that is often based on psychological reporting and testing.

Alex

Dear ChristTeen,

Well, I've been told by no less than a bishop that he will not penalize Catholics who confess to him they practice artificial birth control in confession - doing what they can etc.

Numerous priests have told me the same over the years.

As you know, when Paul VI came out with his Humanae Vitae, entire bishops' conferences, including that of Catholic Austria, opposed it.

The fact is that we know a tiny percentage of Catholics follow the official rule in this respect.

I'm not passing judgement on anyone, just making a statement.

Alex