Author Topic: Eastern Catholicism (Read 1097 times)

Kephapaulos · « **on:** March 03, 2008, 05:14:32 PM »

Well, I noticed Pravoslavni mentioned something about having Greek Catholic heritage, and I thought of starting a thread where Eastern Catholicism could generally be discussed, but I suppose we could also offshoot from this thread to form threads concerning more specific issues of Eastern Catholicism.

I would think Pinoy and obscurus would be quite interested in this subject. :wink:

If you ever see this thread, Pravoslavni, what can you tell us about Greek Catholics?

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:07:18 PM »

Kephapaulos,

Is there anything in particular that you have questions about?

Pinoy Monk

Kephapaulos · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:09:27 PM »

Well, what is the situation like right now really with Greek Catholics in Greece, especially considering ecuмenism?

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:16:15 PM »

I personally can't speak for the Catholics in Greece, but I do have one thing to clarify. Kephapaulos, you may already know this, but perhaps others here do not.

The term "Greek Catholic" is not typically used to speak of the Catholics in Greece specifically. The phrase is one of several used to identify the Catholic counterparts of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and faithful. The idea is that they (both the "Greek Catholics" and the Orthodox) practise their religion, using the same rites as received from Constantinople (Greece). Many people, particularly in the West, are more familiar with the terms "Eastern Catholic" or "Byzantine Catholic", but the use of the word 'Greek' is still perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is part of the formal title of the Ukrainian Church: the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).

Pravoslavni · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2008, 01:08:22 PM »

Most people I know, especially older Roman Catholics, don't have a clue what "Byzantine Catholic" means, however most do understand what the term Greek Catholic refers to.

PinoyMonk · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2008, 01:28:39 PM »

"Byzantine Catholic" is becoming more common from what I've seen because it is the buzz word of the Ruthenians. They don't seem to like to be called "Ruthenians" but insist that they are "Byzantine Catholics". Personally, I suspect that this has to do with the fact that they're recruiting amongst non-Slavs and do not feel it appropriate to use "biased" term of "Ruthenian". What do you think?

"Greek Catholic", as I described in my previous post, is perfectly valid, but I find that many people (particularly the younger individuals) do not comprehend it and/or misinterpret it to mean all of the Catholics in/from Greece.

Is that a fair assessment, Pravoslavni?