www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West If this be true

You seem to have been dealing with Romans who resemble the parts of human anatomy that most people cover up.

Some of us Romans (I would venture to say most of us) actually are interested in and want to learn more about our Eastern brethren.

I'm still a little confused as to how exactly Roman Catholics have little use for Eastern Catholics ?

Dear Met. Volodymyr, too bad, that's the way it is -- Our choice, not yours.


Yes, become Orthodox thereby confirming Met. V's appraisal.
...from ourselves. Amen.

And, I wouldn't let other people use me.

Perhaps it is the shear number of Latins here in the states in comparison to us Eastern Catholics. Most Latins I encounter refuse to believe that we are Catholic. If anything, they think that we are Orthodox. Some degree of hegemony is here...

Ain't that the truth. I've encountered this my whole life. They refuse to believe that funny looking church with onion domes and three bar crosses, and that funny sounding liturgy could actually be Catholic!

screw 'em.
Much Love,
Jonn

Unfortunately, ignorance abounds no matter where anyone goes. This can only be a teaching tool. I repeatedly have to give witness for my faith, especially Biblically, when people find out I'm Catholic. I would venture to guess it is easier to convince a fellow Catholic that you are one than to convince an Anti-Catholic Fundamentalist that you don't worship Satan and "The Death Cookie."

I've been closely involved at a UGCC parish for almost 2 years now, and I've never had a single experience like that. When I attend Latin Mass in the city, I quite often mention to people that I usually attend a Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sundays, and I've never gotten a strange look or comment from anyone.

For whatever it's worth, perhaps the worst thing that can be said in regards to Roman Catholic attitudes towards Eastern Catholics, is that for many, there are no attitudes, because they barely know of your existence. That may feel like a slight but for all practical purposes it has little bearing on your church's survival in the 21st century.

This thread is interesting, frustrating, and sad for a Latin Catholic to read, all at the same time (no offense, guys).

Alexis

What's frustrating is there seems less and less hope that the Orthodox and Catholics will ever unite and Islam and Secularism continue to expand their nets. Maybe if it gets really bad the two groups (whatever they are to be called) will finally take reunion seriously. In the interim we seem to be content to die.

CDL

Are all the Eastern Catholic Churches closing shop like the Metropolia? I thought good things were happening with the Ukrainian Greek Catholics and the Melkites.

CDL:

Sadly it may take us all being in the same gulag together before we "get it." Something like the experience of those under the communists. When you face the same fate in the morning, lots of things that used to be a big deal suddenly aren't.

BOB

At least you are importing priests from the old country, where priests and vocations are plentiful

I think we have only brought over a handful of priests from the mother eparchies to help us. That said, importing priests and bi-ritual priests are only short-term band-aids. We have been here formally for about 125 years. If the BCC is really to thrive, we have to incarnate ourselves in this American culture in a tangible way. I think the OCA is starting to do this now.

We need vocations from our parishes to labor in Christ's vineyard. We need to offer this country Christ. There are many who remain unchurched around our parishes. Also, planting new parishes and missions should be part of our strategic plan. We also need to understand our situation, agree on a plan and execute on that plan.

The Metropolia is aging. It has faced a series of almost unbelievable events and personalities that would have crushed and destroyed just about anything. God has a plan for us and for this fragile Church. We all play a part.

Each day I hope and pray that the Lord will stir the embers of the BCC and do something great and wonderful with us. I pray for our four bishops too. The odds seem overwhelming at this point and the work that needs to be done is massive. We are rapidly declining and the muscle we once had is long gone--and new muscle has not been added to the body. We do have some Romans flowing into the ranks, but hardly enough to sustain us.

Like the athlete of St. Paul the Apostle's epistles, we must train and strive to win the imperishable prize of communion and union with God.

Otherwise--to circle back to CDL's provocative post that opened this thread--it will be true...at least for the BCC.