Clergy: RC-EO Conversion

[Gnarwhal]

Just out of curiosity, how frequent or rare is it for someone in the Roman Catholic clergy to convert to Orthodoxy? Is it the same for those in the monastic tradition? I know of instances where Protestant clergy converted, sometimes en masse, but I'm not aware of many accounts of RC clergy converting. Kind of seems like a Giants fan randomly deciding to become a Dodger fan.

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[Dorothea]

I've been told it's easier for a Protestant pastor to come home to Orthodoxy than an RC priest because they are within the RCC, which has much commitment and their own long traditions. The Protestant pastors and their congregation don't have those types of deep ties, I don't think. Protestants change churches pretty easily. Just what I've been told.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I've been told it's easier for a Protestant pastor to come home to Orthodoxy than an RC priest because they are within the RCC, which has much commitment and their own long traditions. The Protestant pastors and their congregation don't have those types of deep ties, I don't think. Protestants change churches pretty easily. Just what I've been told.

Yeah that's kind of what I figured, much of the draw that Orthodoxy has to Protestants (at least in my opinion) is that it dates back to the apostles. 2,000 years of unaltered tradition maintained by the apostolic succession is incredible, especially from a Protestant perspective. I can imagine since Catholicism dates back to the schism that the long history may not be the initial draw.

It also must be difficult to tear ones self away from the commitments to Catholic doctrines that differ from Orthodoxy.

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[E.C.]

It has happened, but not that frequently. A few years ago there was a Swiss Catholic hermit who became Orthodox.

 

[gzt]

Byzantine Catholics have converted and done so en masse before (that's how both the OCA and ACROD came about, pretty much), but it's gone the other way, too (that's where they came from!). Catholic clergy becoming Orthodox (or vice versa) happens, I think the "vice versa" is the more common way these days, but it's hard to say without any actual numbers.

 

[truthseeker32]

There is a former Carmelite nun and a former priest who attend the parish I go to in Salt Lake. As has already been stated in other words, it seems less likely that a Roman Catholic Clergyman would convert given the truth claims of their own faith. Roman Catholics believe tend to believe they are the true, or the fullness of the Christian faith. Protestants often have a less exclusive view than this, and because many people (myself included) have a desire for truth, Orthodoxy and RCC will have more of a pull.

 

[ArmyMatt]

yeah, I know it's on Journey to Orthodoxy's page about RC clergy becoming Orthodox. Dr Al Rossi I know was a monastic as well before becoming Orthodox. not as common, but it does happen.

 

[Eastern Drifter]

yeah, I know it's on Journey to Orthodoxy's page about RC clergy becoming Orthodox. Dr Al Rossi I know was a monastic as well before becoming Orthodox. not as common, but it does happen.

Becoming A Healing Presence FTW.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I know a former RC Deacon who is now an OCA priest in our area.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

Just out of curiosity, how frequent or rare is it for someone in the Roman Catholic clergy to convert to Orthodoxy? Is it the same for those in the monastic tradition? I know of instances where Protestant clergy converted, sometimes en masse, but I'm not aware of many accounts of RC clergy converting. Kind of seems like a Giants fan randomly deciding to become a Dodger fan.

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our archpriest is a RC-EO convert. He converted in the 80's I think.

 

[ArmyMatt]

both deacons at my home parish used to be Roman Catholics.

 

[ProScribe]

I think the Roman Catholic priesthood requires a celibate lifestyle.

 

[Mikeb85]

I personally know 1 Orthodox priest-monk who used to be a RC priest, and I know an Orthodox priest who used to be an Eastern-Catholic priest...

 

[MariaRegina]

I've been told it's easier for a Protestant pastor to come home to Orthodoxy than an RC priest because they are within the RCC, which has much commitment and their own long traditions. The Protestant pastors and their congregation don't have those types of deep ties, I don't think. Protestants change churches pretty easily. Just what I've been told.

Catholics who want to convert to Orthodoxy have to deal with several issues, the worst being:

Papal infallibility/supremacy - the Pope has a strong hold on them.
Denying Papal infallibility scares a lot of Catholics. Basically, converting to Orthodoxy causes one to be excommunicated from Roman Catholicism.

In addition, one loses support from the Catholic community of which they are no longer a member. Losing life-long friends hurts.

 

[MariaRegina]

I personally know 1 Orthodox priest-monk who used to be a RC priest, and I know an Orthodox priest who used to be an Eastern-Catholic priest...

I know two previous Catholic seminarians who are now Orthodox Priests.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Does anyone know if there's usually a common thread of some sort amongst RC-EO clergy converts? Something like "I just couldn't reconcile papal infallibility anymore" or "I don't agree with the filioque"... Or perhaps it would be something a little more personal?

 

[isshinwhat]

I am good friends with a man whose father was an Episcopalian priest who converted to Catholicism, was ordained, then became Orthodox, where he is now serves as a priest.

 

[InnerPhyre]

There is a man at my parish who was an RC priest and was just received into the Orthodox Church last year.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

Does anyone know if there's usually a common thread of some sort amongst RC-EO clergy converts? Something like "I just couldn't reconcile papal infallibility anymore" or "I don't agree with the filioque"... Or perhaps it would be something a little more personal?

Vatican II...

 

[ArmyMatt]

there was a guy on youtube who was posting videos about he and basically his parish doing a mass conversion (haha pun).