Just picked up the new book _Catholicism for Dummies_ by Frs John Trigilio & Kenneth Brighenti. Those who watch EWTN will remember Fr Trigilio from the program "Web of Faith" where he and Fr Levis answer questions from viewers.
The book is written primarily with a Latin perspective (which is somewhat understandable though I would like to see an intro to Catholicism book which was really *catholic* in all respects...but I digress). There are some real good comments at places about the Eastern Churches, however.
On Sacraments of Initiation:
"The Byzantine (Eastern) Catholic Church administers all three Sacraments of Initiation [Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist] at the same time--at infancy. This has been the Church's practice throughout history." (p. 93)
On Kneeling:
"Eastern Catholics, such as the Byzantine, don't kneel because standing is their normal posture for reverence, but in the Latin (Western) Church, kneeling is the most profound sign of reverence." (p. 146)
On the reasons for the East-West Schism:
"Geography, Ignorance, Personalities and politics" are subheadings. Under "Different theologies" this gem can be found:
"Both were valid, but each had its own perspective. The West (Latin) was more practical and, although fully believing in the divinity of Christ, put emphasis on his humanity when depicting Jesus in art--especially by making realistic crucifixes. The East (Byzantine) was more theoretical and, although fully believing in the humanity of Christ, focused on his divinity, which was much more mysterious." (pp. 356-357)
But I think the best quote is when the book deals with priestly celibacy in relation to the Eastern Churches:
"Only in the United States
At the turn of the last century, many Eastern European immigrants came to America and brought their clergy with them. Some influential and shortsighted Irish-American bishops feared (with no foundation) that a married priesthood among Eastern Catholics would cause tension and animosity among the Westen (Latin) Roman Catholic clergy and laity. So they asked Rome if they could force the Byzantine clergy to mandate celibacy in North America even though it would remain optional in the rest of the world.
Before that, every single Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Melkite, Maronite, Coptic, and Romanian Catholic priest had the option of being celibate or married all over the world. Today, only the United States still pushes mandatory celibacy on the Eastern Catholic clergy." (p. 217)
Again, the book is written primarily from a Latin perspective but I thought the statements cited were quite positive for this type of work.
