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Thank you, likethethief, for the additional info. And apologies to Liz for the tangential discussion!

I found this additional info on the AFR program with Fr. Loya on this old thread and also here. I think this is from an era that predates the current podcast format of AFR.

That being said, perhaps griego catholico could resurrect the old program for us? I'd love to hear it!

I am not surprised she hasn't come back considering the tone of some of the posters here.

Seraphim the lurker

I stated my views on Fr. Babcock's interview on Ancient Faith Radio in the posts listed below:

Eastern Catholic Priest on The Illumined Heart of Ancient Faith - Post #362620

Two Recent Byz Cath Podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio - Post #364015

Two Recent Byz Cath Podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio - Post #364019

Two Recent Byz Cath Podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio - Post #364021

And

Two Recent Byz Cath Podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio - Post #364032

You can access Fr. Loya's interview on Ancient Faith Radio through Internet Archive at the link below:

East meets East [web.archive.org]

He has my prayers.

Apotheoun,

Thanks for finding that link to the archived recording between Fr. Loya and Fr. Schroedel. I'm listening to it now.

To go back to this question, one answer given in the interview falls under what I would consider fairly abstract reasoning for making such a decision. There are other obvious answers such as marriage or geographic considerations.

Perhaps the most basic answer is it simply falls to comfort with a given community, which I would say is probably just as likely for a Catholic who would attend an Orthodox parish as it is the reverse situation.

I've spoken to a number of people who have moved from Greek Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy, including cradle Greek Catholics, transfers from the Latin Church, and those coming in from outside, either directly into the Greek Catholic Church, or by way of the Latin Church.

The most common reasons given were:

Difficulty in reconciling the incoherence of the Catholic Church's attitude towards Eastern Catholicism; i.e., reclaiming the fullness of the authentic Tradition--except when it bothers Rome.

Real issues with certain elements of Catholic doctrine--principally the current understanding of Papal primacy and the Petrine ministry.

Desire to live more fully in the Orthodox Tradition, and running smack up against entrenched latinizations, most often taking the form of a severely truncated liturgical life.

Being tired of catching it from both sides--being accused of "uniatism" by the Orthodox, on the one hand; and of not being "real Catholics" on the other. They do have a point, there-- no matter which way the traffic is going, bridges get walked over, all the time.

Needless to say, while I realize all of these have merit, I don't consider them sufficiently irksome to drive me out. You'll all just have to try harder, I suppose.

Interesting and likely similar to a list that might have been compiled by many of those who left the Greek Catholic Church for Orthodoxy during the 20th century in the US.

The more things change. . .

A friend of mine who is a pastor sent me this several months ago. I just thought of it, and think it sheds light on the conversation. I've edited enough so that the parishes can't be identified, but will say it is from a larger city and not a small town.

The writer is a Roman Catholic looking East. His email speaks volumes.

Good Liturgy fills Churches. Bad Liturgy empties Churches.

It's funny. I attended a Greek Orthodox church before I became Eastern Catholic, and much of what you describe was in the GO church as well. Ambo to the left facing the people where the priest gives the homily, pews, kneelers.

Thankfully the rest does not apply to either church, but that setup didn't phase me until I attended other Orthodox churches, and realized the difference.

I suppose "Americanizations" and Latinzations have a lot of overlap.

Well, the Greeks went through this phase when all they wanted to be was Episcopalians who liked souvlaki and baklava. Their churches had to look like "real American" churches, inside and out--and that's when the stained glass, the pews, the minimalist iconostasis, and, ugh! the organ, all came into use. Paradoxically, having gone whole-hog into assimilation, they sought to hold the line by retaining Greek in the liturgy, long after most of their people stopped speaking Greek (hence, Greek School). The tide seems to be turning around, as people figured out that after three or four generations in America, a loose ethnic affiliation is not enough to keep people coming to what is, after all, a very inconvenient and counter-cultural Church.

It's kind of scary, but I've actually agreed with the past 5 or 6 of Stuart's posts!! I think I need another cup'o'joe!

Alexandr

Alexandr,

I may have to join you for some, too.