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The below quote on the RDL board made a recurring thought of mine arise again. There is a real need for information provided from, about, or for Eastern Catholics. If you know of any resources, would you please list and/or review them here?

Hello Wondering. Thank you for starting this thread. I will be interested in reading others' perspectives. I will give mine.

It is the nature of the schism. I have always felt it. It is very painful. The Eastern Catholics either voluntarily or involuntarily left their patrimony and entered communion with Rome which had already suffered the Great Schism. I believe this pain is perpetually felt either on a conscious or unconscious level. Our Tradition, theology, and history is undeniably connected to the Orthodox Church. We are told to be orthodox, but don't be Orthodox. Hence, I often say that the Eastern Catholics have an identity crisis. Forced latinizations throughout the years have not helped matters.

The best Eastern Catholic material I have seen is anything by Archbishop Joseph Raya (Melkite)of blessed repose. But then...he was very...shall we say...Orthodox.

R

We cannot become Orthodox, if we are already Orthodox.

I think Archbishop Levada sums it all up very well in the 'recent' clarifications, published with the blessing of our holy Father Benedict XVI, on the nature of the Church.

The fullness of the Church subsists in the Catholic Communion, in communion with Rome! The fullness includes the true priesthood, the true sacraments, the true faith, all that is necessary for salvation. We name this 'true faith, true sacraments, true priesthood' in a single word, 'Orthodoxy'.

Elements of Orthodoxy appear outside the Catholic communion, and it gives us joy to see it and recognize it, wherever it occurs. But, we Catholics, are Orthodox. We cannot become Orthodox.

the unworthy,
Elias

Father Elias, your blessing! It is GOOD to see you back.

It seems to me that the Ruthenian Church took their patrimony WITH them when they sought a pearl of great price - unity with Peter. That they took that patrimony with them is the gist of the Treaties of Union.

But over time, that patrimony needs to be unpacked and lived - and often either through ignorance, or external pressures, or lack or time and resources, this could not be done to the fullest within the Eastern Catholic Churches, in one way or another. So we also examine the writings and experiences of the larger body of Eastern Orthodoxy - those who, while not in union with Rome and with us, share that particular patrimony, and have like us have had centuries to "unpack" it - often with great social support and greater freedom and resources.

That said - we must also realize that the Orthodox have been affected by historical currents, and their own controversies, and use their works and writings wisely. (One occasional failing of converts to Eastern Christianity is to take everything written by an Orthodox saint or saintly bishop as dogma - just as do some Western Christians.)

Some of the best words on Eastern Catholicism I have heard have been not in writing, but in preaching - for example, by Father Jack Custer, Father Elias, and Father John Petro. I would also like very much to read more of the pastoral writings of Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky.

Yours in Christ,
Jeff

I've asked the mods to split this conversation up between a thread in Faith and Worship and this one here in Books.

The conversation going on here about how Eastern Catholics can be Orthodox without becoming Orthodox is important and deserves its own thread.

I have made that thread here: https://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=245846

Yes. I used to think like that.

Upon further study and prayer, I see seven Ecumenical Councils. No extra doctrines. No splits into multiple sects of protestantism. The Pope was always first amongst equals and never carried a charism of infallibility. I have come to believe that the Latin Catholic Church and those in communion with her have fallen away from many aspects of Orthodoxy. And as time moves forward, the watering-down continues. I believe that the Orthodox Catholic Church alone carries the fullness of truth. And I yearn to be a part of this fullness.

I respect your opinion, but I do not agree with it.

The sinner,
Recluse

Anything by Archbishop Raya. Fr. Andrij Chirovsky, Fr. Lawrence Cross, Fr. Kasimir Kucharek, Fr. Cyril Korolevsky's book on Metropolitan Andrew, Archbishop Elias Zoghby, Fr. Borys Gudziak, Archimandrite Robert Taft, Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, Bishop Basil Losten and Baronness Catherine Doherty come to mind off the top.