Orthodox Unity 2

Visitor's commentary: 

I read with great interest your response to the question submitted on the Ukrainian-orthodoxy website by a visitor regarding "Orthodox Unity" (July 27/04) your comments on the divisions facing the Roman Church and in particular, the "traditional Catholics of the Latin rite". I was christened in the RC church 45 years ago and have been very concerned as to the direction our Church for a number of years. As a result, I became very interested in the Orthodox church and the Byzantine-rite Catholic church. I have done a lot of reading about both Churches and have attended the Liturgies in both. I developed great respect and admiration for the Orthodox church because of its respect for tradition, clear/concise religious beliefs and doctrines, the beauty of it's services and churches, not to mention the continued use of its sacred liturgical languages in many parishes. With the recent publicity surrounding Mel Gilson's movie, the Passion of the Christ, I learned about the existence of the traditional Catholic church groups-I was not aware of these groups beforehand. I have been doing a lot of research on the traditional Catholic church groups and their relationship with Rome. It is interesting to note that many senior Roman church authorities have had to overturn past "knee jerk" reactions and threats of "schism" or "ex-communication" made toward traditional Catholic groups. Some senior church officials admit that most traditional groups have valid priests and sacraments. I understand that Rome has recently met with at least one traditional group (SSPX) in order to settle previous misunderstandings. As you know, the Church can often behave more as a political institution than a religious one as in any large governing body. My personal belief is that Rome has not handled the feelings of traditional Catholics in the best manner right from the dawn of Vatican 2 and has got itself into a political nightmare. I share your view on the current divisions which exist in the Roman church between the liberalists vs conservatives and agree that many Catholics today are more confused than ever as to Church teachings, doctrines, faith and how they relate to social issues. Confusion and unclear teachings by Church leaders, coupled with the abandonment of all Catholic traditions; including a new "Mass?/service"(Novus Ordo, composed by Modernist Cardinals and 6 Protestant Ministers), introduced in the 1960's to replace the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, destruction of the high Altar in churches, disappearance of Novenas, Benediction, Stations of the Cross, Rosary recitation, denial of the "real presence" in the blessed sacrament and other loved traditions/doctrines have led to a significant number of Catholics seeking fulfillment from either a traditional church or another Christian denomination. Your point that world Orthodoxy has not experienced the divisions that the once "united" Roman Church is quite true! Orthodox tradition, strong faith, clear beliefs and not wavering from them have worked strongly in favour of the Church. The high number of questions and comments you receive from Catholics is sufficient proof of the number of unfulfilled Catholics. Some Catholics, concerned that their church leaders have completely turned their back on tradition and history, coupled with the modernistic measures imposed by the Roman Church over the years will seek a traditional Catholic site and I can't say I could blame them. Some will seek fulfillment in the Orthodox Church as I have in the past, or even another denomination-sadly most will seek no church at all. Ironically, with all the new measures introduced in the Catholic church over the number of years, attendance at weekly Mass is at an all time low. On the other hand, attendance and religious vocations at traditional Catholic churches are at an all time high.

I would look forward to any comment you may have.

Jeff (Winnipeg, Canada) blackbikerboots@shaw.ca

First article on Orthodox Unity

Dr. Alexander Roman alex@unicorne.org

Thank you for such a comprehensive comment on a matter that you have so obviously thought about in great depth!

Already in the 19th century, the Orthodox Church reviewed the Tridentine Liturgy and approved it for use within a "Western Rite" after some minor changes that returned what is really the Liturgy of St Peter to its pre-schism usage (i.e. removal of the Filioque and an extended epiclesis etc.). Roman Catholics who are now in communion with Orthodoxy can, in some jurisdictions, make use of this liturgy.

And it is certainly a most beautiful one, to be sure! What is sometimes overlooked by those who are "anti-Tridentine" is that there were a variety of usages based on the old Roman liturgy that were observed throughout the West at one time or another that underscored the various local church traditions.

The Usages of Braga in Portugal, the Ambrosian, Gallican and Mozarabic Rites, the old Celtic Rite, the Usages of Sarum, Hereford, Bangor and York in Britain, the rite of Trondheim in Norway, the various usages of individual cities such as Aquileia, AND the usages practiced by at least five Roman Catholic religious orders, including the Carmelites and the Premonstratensians - all these rites and usages were a varied enrichment of the Western Catholic religious experience!

My own personal view is that liturgical renewal in the contemporary Latin Church has tended to throw out the "baby with the bath-water." The changes to the magnificent Breviary of Pius X is also a case in point. This breviary is today used even by Western Rite Orthodox and High Anglicans who find in it their "soul" so to speak. It took me a bit of a while to figure out the rubrics of this horological tradition - I guess I'm not the "liturgical whiz" I thought I was!

What I find to be particularly sad is when individual Roman Catholics feel obliged to join an Eastern Catholic or Orthodox parish ONLY for the "bells and smells . . ."

In other words, they really don't become "Eastern" in their spiritual outlook but are attracted to the mystery and dignity of Orthodox worship. And, if given half a chance, they would be back with their Western Church in a heartbeat - if the "old Roman Church" could become a reality for them once more.

But there are others who truly do become either "Eastern" or "Western" Orthodox-Catholics. The Western Rite Orthodox I like to call "Roman Catholics in communion with (e.g.) Antioch." But I have no business in that department!

You are always welcome to investigate the Eastern Churches at your leisure and as you like. You are always welcome to experience that same mystery of liturgical worship that prompted the emissaries of St Volodymyr of Kyiv to tell their sovereign upon returning from Constantinople that: "We didn't know whether we were on earth - or in heaven!"

Dominus Vobiscum!

Ukrainian Orthodoxy