Differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism
When I am asked by people what is the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I will either answer “very little” or “a whole lot”, depending on who is the asking and the context of the question.
If the questioner is a Protestant, I will most likely answer the former: very little is different, as least in comparison with the differences between Protestantism and the apostolic Churches. We both have sacraments, authoritative bishops, reverence for Mary, prayers for the dead – and the list could go on quite some time.
If the questioner is a Catholic and knowledgeable about the Faith, I will more likely answer that a “whole lot” is different. The filioque, authority of the pope, purgatory, the Immaculate Conception of Mary – and the list could go on quite some time.
When a Western Christian first explores the East, he cannot get over how alike it is to Catholicism. It seems to be simply a different view of the same beliefs. However, the more one explores the East, the more one realizes that in many ways, the East is not even using the same playbook as the West, and this leads to subtle, yet very important, differences in our views of God and His plan of salvation. Whereas I truly believe that most of these differences are reconcilable, I do accept that they really are differences – Orthodoxy is not simply Catholicism without the pope.
The blog Vivificat!, run by a Roman Catholic who was at one time Eastern Orthodox, has a very nice post which lists 12 beliefs of the Orthodox which are fundamental to their identity but are not consistent with Catholic belief (at least not consistent based on our current understanding of doctrine). Read it here:
Twelve Differences Between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches
Having followed the link and read the list, I had to check again to make sure the writer was actually Catholic. The presentation of the twelve differences is remarkably sympathetic to the Orthodox position, in almost every case. I can see he reaffirmed his commitment to the Catholic position the next day, but it’s still interesting.
Do you know to what extent the Eastern Catholic churches would agree (wholly or in part) with these twelve points?
Patrick Madrid had the same misconception initially that you did. In my mind, that means that the blogger really takes seriously the Orthodox position; he doesn’t just parrot some (negative) Catholic apologetic view of their beliefs.
Regarding the Eastern Catholic view of these twelve points, I think your mileage will vary. I’ve encountered Eastern Catholics who strenuously insist that they believe EVERYTHING that Orthodoxy teaches, but they are just in communion with Rome (i.e. they most likely reject Vatican I and the other “Western Councils” as universal in nature). So they would accept all 12 points.
Other Eastern Catholics, however, are less supportive of modern Orthodoxy. They might accept some or even all of the 12 points, but revised and interpreted in such a way as to be more compatible with Roman Catholicism.
I think it just depends on the person.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
Thank you for your link to Vivificat and for your kind thoughts!
I hope that my humble writing fosters mutual understanding between Orthodox and Catholics, particular in these times when a unified witness to Christ and His Gospel are so sorely needed.
Yours in Christ,
-Theo