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Dec 29th, 2019
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Does anyone know how someone like me would be treated if I wanted to re-enter the Catholic Church? I was born and raised Latin Rite. I never switched Sui Juris Churches but was attending an Eastern Catholic parish for a while and even met with a priest to discuss it but it didn't work out because I was moving to an area that didn't have any EC Churches. So when I did move I started attending an OCA parish and was received by Chrismation in 2005. I have since moved again and there is a Melkite Church about an hour away. I haven't been to it yet. So I guess if I wanted to rejoin the Catholic Church do I need to go through the Latin Church first and then petition to join another Sui Juris Church or since I am coming from Orthodoxy can I just join whichever Sui Juris Church I want with out needing to petition. I suspect that you might get different answers, depending on whether you asked a Latin canonist or an Eastern one. The former, I believe, would say that you would return to the Latin Church; the latter might more likely take the view that you could ask to be received by an Eastern Church (probably either the Ruthenian or Ukrainian Church, coming from the OCA). Beyond any sense of territoriality that either canonist might have, the differences lie in interpretation - because the situation you describe (Latin to Orthodox to Catholic) is one not specifically addressed by the Canons. Those, both Latin and Eastern, focus on: (1) persons coming from neither a Catholic nor an Orthodox heritage; or (2) those who were Orthodox, but not previously Catholic. I am unaware of any interpretive notes/opinions to the relevant provisions of either Canon Law Codex that specifically address the matter, but I haven't (yet) gone looking for them either. It might, however, be time to do so. I say that because, interestingly, after never hearing this question asked previously, in all the years that I've been replying to queries of 'to which Church which I be ascribed', yours is the second in weeks. Someone else e-mailed me, from another site, presenting an identical scenario and posing the same question. As regards the Melkite parish that you reference, if you are speaking of the one in SC, I'd check before you make the trip down there. A while back, Archbishop Cyril closed that mission; however, the eparchial website now lists it again (or did when I last checked) and I admit to being uncertain as to its status. I messaged Father Titus on FB to try and find out whether it was functioning or not, but haven't had a reply and I keep forgetting to follow up with the chancery to ask. I'll try to remember to do so this week - meantime, if you find out, I'd appreciate hearing the answer. Many years, Neil I think not only would you get different answers from Latin and Eastern canonists, but that canonists would differ between themselves. Briefly put, however, I think you SHOULD be received as ER I would argue as follows: 1. Eastern rite churches are the Catholic equivalent of Orthodox autocephalous churches. 2. Orthodox churches are true churches, just as are ER churches. 2. Therefore, entering an autocephalous Orthodox church is the same thing as entering an ER church, a change of sui juris church/ rite and should be recognised as such.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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On a closer reading of the situation of the poster to which Irish Melkite replied, perhaps I would also like to comment that proximity of a church to worship in is not, in my view, sufficient reason to change from Orthodoxy to Catholicism (if that's the primary reason).
Whilst I stand by every I suggested in regard to my view of the appropriate process, I think the real question you need to answer for yourself is whether you want to be Orthodox or Catholic. Despite what some may suggest, I don't believe they are exactly the same thing, even though they might be liturgically similar (and theologically in some ways).
WOuld you seek to change back to Orthodoxy if you moved to an area with no eastern Catholic churches?
Whilst I stand by my comments about process, these are however serious questions that go beyond what liturgical tradition you prefer to worship in; I would suggest advice from a competent spiritual director would be worthwhile, as these should be decisions for life.
If you do decide to stay with Orthodoxy, there are ways you can worship by yourself till you can get to a priest (look at the Old Believers for centuries of this). Likewise, if you become EC, there are spiritual practices that can get you through distance to a church. Don't let this be a deciding factor on what is a deeper issue.
Sorry if I have misunderstood, just working on what I saw in your post.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 39
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Good morning,
I traveled the path to the east four years ago after a heresy-preaching pastor was assigned to the Roman parish I had been attending for 20+ years. Admittedly, this was an emotional reaction on my part. But after experiencing the Byzantine liturgy (and joining the choir) I could not go back.
Mine was not an "official" switch. I just started attending the UGCC parish. There were and are soul wrenching moments, as I have many friends and family members in the old parish. It is particularly difficult during Holy Week and Pascha. So this is not always an easy path to follow.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Before I respond Polska, I would like to clarify something The young fogey stated. There is no such thing as switching rites, after examination and prayer you could apply for a change of particular Church; when switching Churches you cannot just take the rite to heart, but the entire whole of the Church, the good and the bad.
Now on to my response. Are you just upset with your parish or are you really drawn to the East? If you are just upset with your parish, find another one. If you are dissatisfied with the Latin Church, then figure out why and find a good spiritual director.
What I'm getting from your message is that you are considering running away from the West and not running towards the East. If this is the case, then I'm afraid that you will not be happy wherever you end up.
Whatever you do, just find a solid spiritual director East or West. Polska: Welcome to the forum. That said, look again at the very sage advice you were given by our brother from Erie. Step back and take a good long look. There are no perfect churches, parishes, dioceses, eparchies, or another construct. There are imperfect people struggling to "get it right." That's the whole truth and nothing but the truth. A different form won't do what you're looking for if you don't find the reason you are so disturbed. And you may find that the Byzantine parish you join is similar to the one you leave--often we look at the other through rose colored glasses until we meet people who practice more in the breach than in the strict outlines of their particular church. The Lord reaches out to you in the place He puts you so kick back this week and just let Him take you along for His Passion and Resurrection. Then make sure your own prayer life is on track and you have sound direction before you make moves that may not ultimately satisfy your spiritual hunger. Be sure you're not simply infected with accidie: that perturbation of spirit that says that everyone and everthing lese but what I have is better, more holy, more spiritually profitable. Bob
Last edited by theophan; 04/20/11 12:40 PM.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208
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There was a time - and in some places, still is today - when joining Christianity was equivalent to signing your own execution warrant.
I believe Zenit recently imparted the information that multitudes are getting ready to join the Catholic Church at Easter/Pascha.
How many of them (us) were told and are aware that being Catholic or Orthodox might very well one day mean undergoing martyrdom?
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