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Topic: Eastern Orthodox becoming Catholic

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MicheleQ
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Posted: Sept 29 2007 at 12:50pm \| IP Logged

Did you know (and please forgive me if I don't word this right), that someone of Eastern descent who converts must become an Eastern Rite Catholic - most especially if their father was Eastern?

I have a young man in my RCIA group whose deceased father was raised Eastern Orthodox (he does not know of what rite specifically but we need to find out). Because of this he will become an Eastern Rite Catholic (of whichever rite corresponds to the one of his father) when he is received into the Church (God willing!) at Easter. He can continue in our RCIA group and be received at our Easter vigil but he will not be Latin Rite (though he can formally switch rites later is he so chooses).

The funny thing about this is that at a diocesan meeting a few months ago I learned about this and while I found it interesting I didn't really think it would apply to anyone in our group. Then, while doing interviews it turns out it did indeed apply! (I know, it's a God thing). Now, the young man (he's 25) thinks it's quite interesting and is not at all unhappy about this - in fact it seems quite providential as he has found himself very drawn to Byzantine liturgies and attends quite frequently. He had NO expose to Eastern liturgy growing up because although his father was Eastern he became Protestant when he married and they were Presbyterian all his life. Again, sounds like a God thing to me.:-)

In any case, my reason for posting if to ask if anyone can shed more light on this for me. I understand it is Canon Law (though haven't been able to find the reference) and I would like to be able to explain it better. In large part because although this young man isn't upset by this his mother is quite upset and she too is in RCIA so I would like to be able to explain this in a way that makes sense to her.

Can anyone offer anything??

Thanks!

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Michele Quigley
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KASB
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Posted: Sept 29 2007 at 2:07pm \| IP Logged

Michele,
I have no idea about your question, but thought that you might contact Seton and see if they know someone ( perhaps Fr. Constantine Belisarius ? ) who might be able to help you. I hope you can find some answers !

Bookswithtea
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Posted: Sept 29 2007 at 6:09pm \| IP Logged

Well, I for one am very interested in the answer! I had no idea but I am personally fascinated by Catholic/Orthodox issues. I have a friend who converted from Catholic (non practicing...had been protestant for years) to Antiochan Orthodox. I do know she had to write to every church she had ever attended (including the RCC) and inform them that she didn't want to be considered a member anymore.

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hopalenik
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Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 10:15pm \| IP Logged

Hi,

This applies to me. My husband is Byzantine-Ruthenian Rite Catholic and I am still Roman rite. All of the kids are Byzantine rite. It pretty much boils down to canon law but I believe that stems from the Catholic understanding of fatherhood. I don't do theology discussions well, so I won't really try. We can not attend the Byz church regularly as it is one hour away. But we go every 6 weeks and all the kids recieve their sacraments from Byz rite. They recieve Eucharist, Baptism and confirmation all at birth.

I have been listening to Scott Hahn's CD's on Romanism in Romans. He has a whole CD on the Chapter about Adam and it really explains the fathering part...and how we are all fathered by Adam and our original sin comes form Adam...so I would assume that plays some part in the issue. But as a side note, I think some of it is logistical in this country. The Byz church is more on the decline than the Roman rite appears to be...I could be totally off in my explanation though.

Holly

Philothea
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Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 7:59pm \| IP Logged

That's really interesting, and I have to admit I didn't know that. I'll have to check all the registration forms again and see if this applies to anyone in our RCIA class (I'm a co-coordinator). Thanks for the information!

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