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Did anyone see Father Philip Scott (Byzantine Catholic Priest from Atlanta) appear on "The Journey Home" show the other night? I'd be interested in reactions. As someone who recently discovered the Byzantine Catholic Church while exploring Orthodoxy, I was personally happy to see an hour of programming devoted to an explanation of this Pearl of Great Price. I think it would be quite interesting to have Byzantine Catholic priests join in answering some of those e-mails from viewers on other shows on a regular basis. - Jim

Dear Jim, I saw the program yesterday morning, on 10/21/98. I thought that as an introduction it was not bad. However when I was listening to some of the responses, I thought they were a little bit skewed over to the Latin side. For instance on the question of filioque,Father could have pointed out that in the east the Father is seen as the source of all, from whom everything has its being.That when you say and the Son, you are indanger of creating a second Arche or primary source. If the Father and the Son are both Arches and the Holy Spirit is not an Arche, you could imply from that the Holy Spirit is a "lesser god" and not the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity,whose function of Sanctification is as important as the Father's function of Creation and the Son's function of Redemption. Also when they where talking about the Orthodox, I do not know if Father would have answered differently if he was on an other channel? Father could have pointed out that in the Popes directive on ecumenical relations, that from the Catholic point of view there have been great changes. Father and Marcus sort of treated the subject as if we were back in the 1950's. It seems that it was done to rile as few feathers as possible. Fathers explanation on negative theology was very good.

I saw that show as well, and was waiting for Father to explain the difference between a rite and a church. Unfortunately, I have to agree that things were explained with a "Roman" slant.

I'm glad most of you liked the progam. In my work with the Coming Home Network I'm very sensative to helping Protestant clergy who are considering converting to the Catholic Church recognize that the Catholic Church is not synonymous with the Latin Church. I especailly introduce them to the Eastern Rites if they are in any way leaning towards Orthodoxy.

I'm sorry if our discussions on the Journey Home seemed too Latinized. First let me say that Fr. Scott was personaly facinating and very bright. He was also very diplomatic, which you need to be when you're on EWTN. Also remember, that it is live television, and if any of you have ever been on live television, you know that it is impossible to always say everything exactly the way you wished. The last thing I would have ever wanted to do was to offend my Eastern Rite brothers and sisters, especailly when I went to great trouble to get a Melkite Priest as my guest.

Please keep watching the program, and letting me know when I slip.

In Christ,

Marcus Grodi

Marcus,

Can you provide a listing of dates and times when EWTN will be re-broadcasting this show?

Is there anything we in the Byzantine Church can do to help you in your task?

Thanks.

Marcus, I did enjoy your show with Fr. Scott. It is vitally important that the Eastern Catholic Churches are better known and understood today, especially in light of the Pope's writing on these Churches. A vehicle such as your show is a great way to accomplish this. There has been so much misunderstanding and misinformation about the Eastern Churches that our bishops have been working hard to correct, that when out-of-date or incorrect language is used, it seems to set this work back. Diplomatic or not, we are only striving to be who we are and who the Holy Father has called us to be---ourselves. Bring on more "Eastern" guests and encourage EWTN to have more programming about the Eastern Churches!

RESPONSE TO MARCUS: As a former Protestant (now a member of the Ruthenian-Byzantine Church), I have watched your show on occasion with much interest. I feel you do an excellent job explaining "Catholicism" from a "Protestant" viewpoint. As you know, persons of the Protestant traditions can have a different way of looking and approaching things theological than their Catholic or Orthodox brethren. Too often we forget that. I did not see the show mentioned in the other e-mails, but please continue to help spread the word so that the Catholic faith is truly "catholic."

QUESTION FOR MARCUS:

You mentioned that in your work if you meet someone who is leaning towards Orthodoxy that you try to introduce them to the Eastern Catholic Churches. Why?

Is not the current Catholic view that both Orthodoxy and Catholicism are "Sister Churches"? If so, why try to steer someone away from Orthodoxy if they are "leaning" that way and lead them elsewhere?

It's my observation that many in the popular Catholic apologetic movement seem to view Orthodoxy much in the same way as before Vatican II. Maybe I'm wrong...it's just that sometimes the idea of "Sister Churches" comes across as just rhetoric.

I apologize if I offend anyone.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dave Ignatius Brown
Central Point, Oregon

I agree.

The reality is that RCs DON'T view the Orthodox Churches as 'sister churches' except on paper. Yet another example of Roman Triumphalism.

If I had a friend who was leaning toward Orthodoxy, I'd tell him/her to go for it. While the EOs may have their jurisdictional problems, esp. in the US, they have a strong sense of historicity and communion, something that Rome seems to have forgotten.

As I remember, it was the 4 Patriarchs of the East who excommunicated the sole Western Patriarch (the Bishop of Rome) back in the 11th century. The developments in Roman doctrine (purgatory, Immaculate Conception, Papal universal jurisdiction and infallibility, modification of the Creed (the filioque), etc) have only served to further alienate the truly Orthodox.

If there's ever going to be a union between East and West (Fat chance, IMHO), it'll take more than just words, which Rome seems accustomed to. When Rome really is serious about union it'll recognize the soverignty of Churches, with their liturgical and ecclestical histories, instead of saying one thing (union) and doing another (adhering to its own particular ideological viewpoints).

Pluralism NEVER was part of the Roman agenda. Conformity, yes, but pluralism? Ha! A lot of fancy words, but obviously duplicitious.

Let's all try to remember Jesus' command to love one another. Harsh words are not characteristic of the Christian.

God Bless You all!

For those who would like to listen to the program "The Journey Home" from 10/16/98 with host Marcus Grodi and guest Fr. Phillip Scott of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic (Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Atlanta) you can find them at: <A HREF="http://www.ewtn.com/ondemand/audio/resolve.asp?rafile=jh_56.rm">Listen Now</A> or <A HREF="http://www.ewtn.com/ondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=jh_56.rm&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey">Download</A>

It is recommended that you have at least a 28k modem and listen when your internet speed is good if you choose to listen now. RealPlayer is required.

ProdigalSon,

While I can sympathize with your frustration, anger and hatred toward Rome accomplishes little.

Let's be frank here. The term "sister Churches" is derived from the documents of Vatican II, especially the decree on Ecumenicism. While it acknowledges the Orthodox Churches as "sister Churches," it also reaffirms that the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of truth. As a Byzantine Catholic, I fully submit to the teaching authority of my mother, the Catholic Church.

I have Orthodox friends, whom I truly respect and are men of great faith. They too believe that the Orthodox Church possesses the "fullness of truth." Unfortunately, some of them will go farther and say that Catholics have NO valid sacraments. While some Orthodox hierarchs consider the Catholic Church a "sister Church," quite a few others label us as damnable heretics. But so it goes... They do not speak for all Orthodox.

While the human element of the Catholic Church is far from perfect, I am pleased that we have moved to the point of acknowledging the Orthodox as our brothers and sisters in Christian faith, complete with valid sacraments. However, we can and must continue to reaffirm that the Catholic Church alone possesses the fullness of truth, while the Orthodox possess a large portion of it. This is not lack of charity on my part or that of the Catholic Church. Rather, this is a clear affirmation of what we believe. True ecumenicism is based on a truthful presentation of what each side believes and teaches. Likewise, I am not offended by the belief of our Orthodox brethren that they alone possess the fullness of truth. I only ask and hope that we speak honestly to one another, and don't try to gloss over the difficult parts.

Christ is among us.

Antony

Glory be to Jesus Chrisrt!

Anthony,

I am glad to see you on this forum. It appears that you may be a student of Franciscan University of Steubenville. If so, my son Alan just started there. He is suppose to hitch a ride to St. Mary this Sunday. I hope you meet him.

Regarding your message above. Here's a thought to ponder. As Orthodox (Byzantine or not) our identity is the Trinity! We say in Liturgy, "...the Trinity has saved us." We are create in God's image, so we are a trinity.

So my point to ponder is:

The church is a trinity. west joined to east with the papacy as the head tying them together. At one point in history, popes were Orthodox. This is still possible, but at that point he would have to have a sit-in for patriarh of the Latin church. As it is right now we suffer for not having our patriarch. We only have a sit-in.

My point is there is pain for both parts, and God never intended for this seperation to persist. Jesus last prayer on earth was for unity. It is our duty to make it so, just like spreading the Gospel to all nations is our duty. But this needs to be done without compromizing our Orthodox heritage.

There is much we can offer the Latin Churches. As they climb the ladder of systematic theology, we will be here in tact to help. Remember, orthodox theology has deeper roots then latin theology. It could be that in God's plan, He is saving His best wine for last.

Also read again, the Bible passage regarding marriage and its symbalizing the church.

A sinner,
Joyce

[This message has been edited by Joyce (edited 01-22-99).]

Joyce,

Yes, I have met your son Alan! As a matter of fact, he is coming to Church with me this Sunday morning. He seems like a wonderful guy. We have a class together on Eastern Orthodoxy. I'm a graduate student in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Regarding the seperation between the two Churches, it is indeed a tragic state of affairs. Not only is it a scandal to the rest of the world, but it is a massive wound in the body of Christ. Orthodox theology does indeed have deeper roots, and it can very well transform the rest of the Catholic Church in the years to come. The Second Vatican Council has made it clear that Medieval Scholastic theology is no longer the primary theological system of the faith. This has left room for our own Eastern theology to engage the rest of the Church in a transformative dialogue. Some western theologians, such as my professor Dr. Scott Hahn, have devised their theological outlook almost entirely around the teachings of the Eastern Fathers.

Nonetheless, although it is painful and tragic to admit it, the Eastern Orthodox are lacking the extra spiritual protection afforded by union with the Bishop of Rome. Again, I do not mean to "bash" or insult our Orthodox brethren. Rather, I beleive that it is not helpful to just gloss over the claims of the Papacy in an ecumenical dialogue. They need to be dealt with.

Especially in this century of chaos, in which countless Churches have been caving into the desires of our surrounding culture, union with the Holy Father has protected us from surrendering key aspects of the ancient faith. Until 1935 every single Christian church, almost without except, condemned the use of artificial contraception. Unfortunately this situation began to change with the Episcopalians, then followed by countless other Protestant denominations. Sadly, our Orthodox brothers and sisters have been infected by this malaise in the past few decades, and now almost every Orthodox Church (with a few exceptions) embraces artificial contraception. This, very sadly, conflicts with the unanimous teaching of the Eastern Church Fathers, all of whom unaminously condemned artificial contraception. Only our union with the Holy Father, guided by the Holy spirit, has protected us from falling into this grave spiritual problem.

The Papacy is not a dictatorial power to be feared. Rather, it is a gift to be shared. Although the office can be abused, and has been in the past, it has also served to safeguard the faith against the pressures of popular culture. We should not shrink from the Papacy, ashamed that we have it. Rather, we should, through the light of Christ, realize what a blessing it has been.

Yours in Christ,

Antony

Slava Isusu Christu:

This thread is quite interesting, and I'm enjoying reading everyone's varying opinions.

My question is for Anthony/Dragani: as a student at Steubenville, would you please elaborate on your experiences there? My interest is that of someone who may be in search of a graduate level theology program in the near future. I'm a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic, but not yet ready to apply to a bishop as a seminarian. Your input would be most appreciated. Thanks!

CAPTL

[This message has been edited by CAPTL (edited 01-25-99).]