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Author Topic: Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism  (Read 3988 times)

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Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism
« on: May 15, 2018, 04:08:59 AM »
Good morning: 

Helping someone convert from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism. 

He has was baptized and confirmed in the Greek Orthodox Church. It is his understanding that, per the Council of Trent, that all he would need to do is make a formal profession of faith and renounce the schismatic sect in front of a priest and two witnesses, and register in the local baptismal records. 

An SSPX priest told him that he would deny him the sacraments for a year and provide him basic catechetical training. 

He thinks that this SSPX priest may not be understanding what the requirements are and is applying the same standards to him as would be applied to any other convert. He reached out to the SSPX superior but has not received a response yet. 

I asked one resistance priests after Mass on Sunday, but I don't think I explained the case clearly and that he thought I was referring to another case and so I will need to ask again. 

I thought I would start here though to get a general idea of what the steps would be for someone to convert while in the midst of the crisis we are in. 

He is open to approaching one of the priests or bishops of the resistance to assist with his conversion. He is influenced by Abp. Lefebvre, however, I don't think he understands the difference between SSPX and resistance. 

Thank you in advance for any advice/help with this. God bless! 

Re: Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2018, 04:46:39 AM »
Does this guy have a solid knowledge of the Faith? The SSPX priest may just want to make sure your friend has a solid foundation. Just out of curiosity, if he's coming from Eastern Orthodoxy, why not become an Eastern Catholic? What attracts him to the Latin Rite? I can see where the Society priest is coming from. 


Re: Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2018, 06:11:43 AM »
I don't really know, since I do not know him on a personal level. He is merely someone who reached out. I get the impression that he is fairly well versed in the faith. I don't get the impression that he is merely seeking to bypass the SSPX priest's instructions to make the process easier on himself, but that he feels that he has a legitimate reason to question the initial response he was given. (That said, if he really wanted to convert he may need to go to whatever length it takes to convert and submit to whatever process is required). I think he just feels that this particular priest may be making things unnecessarily burdensome. (I don't know, nor necessarily agree--this priest maybe giving him exactly the correct advice/instruction). As for going to Eastern Rite Catholic, I don't think there are any in the US or Canada that have not gone along with Vatican II, so I think that option is out. I believe he did speak with an Eastern Rite priest from the local diocese and was told that he did not need to convert. Grace is moving him in the right direction. So I think I am just looking to either re-affirm what the SSPX priest has told him or point him in the right direction toward the next step. At the end of the day he will obviously need to talk with a priest or bishop himself about his particular case, but I am hoping I can get some idea of what the general parameters/questions are in cases like this generally speaking. 

Re: Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2018, 08:33:39 AM »
I think your friend is a little confused.  Trent doesn't say anything of the sort.

Those who convert to the Church from heresy or schism do not have to be re-baptized, but that is not the same as saying they can just walk in and make a profession of faith day one.  Typically the priest will, at the bare minimum, want to meet with such converts to assess his understanding and knowledge of the faith.  And this is only prudent.  A life-time in a non-Catholic religion will tend to give someone the wrong impression about a few different things, despite whatever diligence they they have in looking into the faith for themselves.

A year might be a little steep.  Perhaps the priest means next Easter, since Easter is when converts are received.  If your friend is particularly anxious then encourage him to speak to a priest and make his best case.  I don't know the degree of latitude there is in receiving converts outside of the appointed times.

Re: Conversion from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholicism
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2018, 09:09:25 AM »
An SSPX priest told him that he would deny him the sacraments for a year and provide him basic catechetical training.
KUDOS TO THE HOLY PRIEST!!!!

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If you turn the table around and it was a Roman Catholic attempting to convert to Orthodoxy, you will find the same procedure instituted before you are admitted to communion there. So it is only fitting and necessary that the good priest is requiring this.

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I know this from personal experience, before my husband converted to Eastern Catholicism we had tried Orthodoxy. I, as a cradle Catholic, was treated harshly as if I was not even a Christian. I was told the Orthodox mean to break a Catholic before admitting them into communion. I was told I had to deny the Chair of Peter and be re-baptized and I refused to do either. So after a year of catechesis and denial of all sacraments I walked away from Orthodoxy and shook the dust off myself. God was merciful.

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Tell your friend or whoever that they should consider themselves fortunate to have found an holy priest! And to  submit to their instruction.