Why should I be Orthodox instead of Catholic?

[Anhelyna]

Leevo

I've now to try and remember what I tried to post just before the dratted database back up or whatever it is happened , and which then ate my reply !!

Here goes again

I'm in a difficult situation here - I'm Catholic posting in TAW - but I reckon all here know I will never ever speak against Orthodoxy or any of its teachings.

you said

I have the Rite of Sending tomorrow and the Rite of Enrollment the next day. It makes the whole thing more rushed, if I miss one of them, I have to take RCIA all over again. Due to me being not 100% convinced yet, I still think I should go through with confirmation too.

Now let me tell you how I see this

1) you are not 100% sure that either the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church are where you should be.

2) you have doubts - serious doubts as to whether you should go forward with the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Enrolment

Have you spoken to the people in charge of your RCIA course about these doubts ? Have you spoken with the priest ?

If not why not ?

Going forward with the Rites is part of entering the Church - are you 150% ready to do that ?

You say you have doubts and yet you say

I still think I should go through with confirmation too.

Confirmation is the final part of your Initiation into Catholicism - it is an integral part of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.

Entering the Church indicates that you 100% accept her teachings - do you ?

At this point if you expressed these doubts to an Orthodox Priest who was preparing you for Baptism, and Chrismation on Lazarus Saturday I can't help feeling he would be saying - " Hold on let's talk about this some more . I'm not sure you are ready to make this step yet "

Please please please think about this. You do NOT have to enter Catholicism just because you have been through the RCIA Course - you should enter Catholicism because you believe it is THE way for you - for your spiritual health and you would not be happy anywhere else.

 

[pdudgeon]

nm

 

[aChildOfMary]

Leevo

I've now to try and remember what I tried to post just before the dratted database back up or whatever it is happened , and which then ate my reply !!

Here goes again

I'm in a difficult situation here - I'm Catholic posting in TAW - but I reckon all here know I will never ever speak against Orthodoxy or any of its teachings.

you said

Now let me tell you how I see this

1) you are not 100% sure that either the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church are where you should be.

2) you have doubts - serious doubts as to whether you should go forward with the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Enrolment

Have you spoken to the people in charge of your RCIA course about these doubts ? Have you spoken with the priest ?

If not why not ?

Going forward with the Rites is part of entering the Church - are you 150% ready to do that ?

You say you have doubts and yet you say

Confirmation is the final part of your Initiation into Catholicism - it is an integral part of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.

Entering the Church indicates that you 100% accept her teachings - do you ?

At this point if you expressed these doubts to an Orthodox Priest who was preparing you for Baptism, and Chrismation on Lazarus Saturday I can't help feeling he would be saying - " Hold on let's talk about this some more . I'm not sure you are ready to make this step yet "

Please please please think about this. You do NOT have to enter Catholicism just because you have been through the RCIA Course - you should enter Catholicism because you believe it is THE way for you - for your spiritual health and you would not be happy anywhere else.

This is a wise post by Anhelyna as always
I'm just curious Leevo as for why this rush?
As long as the priest remain in the parish he'll know that you went through with RCIA and to me it sounds like enourmes stupidity to force a person through another round of RCIA just because he needed a few extra months to decide.

It is a choice that are intended to last for the rest of your life so it's not to be taken lightly.
Also if you don't mean it wholeheartedly the profession of faith will feel so false for yourself and feeling like some sort of a hypocrite.

Does your priest or sponsors put pressure on you?
They may do so because they really like you becoming Catholic and it's out of good will.
If they do so however you should correct them as they may act this way without knowing it themselves.

RCIA is meant to feed you with enough knowledge of Catholicism to enable you to make a choice it doesn't mean that the choice is easy to make even at the end of the course.
some people spend 1 year others spend 10 while figuring out where they belong so please don't rush this.

Also you know that confirmation are being performed outside of the Easter season too?
If they tell you otherwise it's wrong.

I converted to Catholicism a year ago and I have fought a numerous of battles since then.
I'm very Traditional and Pope Francis and the synod of 14 put me under seriouse doubt and I'm afraid that this year's synod will be very stressful for me to.
I am trying to remember that God has always kept his hand over his church and will continue to do so until the end of times, so I should not worry like those who has no faith.

The Pope doesn't lead the church ultimately, God does.

Anyway the reason I say this is so you're aware, it will be challenging at times especially when one come from Protestantism.
We are being tried in our faith both prior to Convertion and afterwards so there will always be doubt.
The question is, Is the doubt to big for you to go through with this now?

If so PLEASE wait until it's time.




Your brother in Christ
- aChildOfMary

 

[RKO]

Anhelyna is correct. I suspect if you told your priest about your doubts he would suggest you slow down and not take the sacraments until you are certain. I don't say that to be negative, but to suggest that you may be sorry later if you decide Catholicism is not for you.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I'm so glad Anhelyna wrote such a wise post, and other Catholics have backed it up. I did not know these were sacraments, or what. And it seems strange to me if a priest would pressure anyone to join the Church. I know in Orthodoxy, a priest will not allow a person to rush too much, and if they have doubts, would want the person to be assured before going ahead. Joining the Orthodox Church (and I suspect the Catholic) is in a sense like getting married. While it is possible to leave, the expectation should be that you are there for life. Rushing ahead when a person has doubts is unwise.

(It is also much more difficult for most people to honestly evaluate an alternative once they have committed to an important decision ... I don't mean that to be insulting, just that it will become much harder to justify a change.)

I was afraid I was making too weak of a response since your reply was to me, but I didn't know anything about the Rites. I'm so glad others stepped in.

I hope you don't feel picked on. No one means to do that, I'm sure. I think we all just feel that it's very important to be SURE before joining either Church.

 

[GregConstantine]

Guys please remember this is an Orthodox Forum, please have your discussions about Roman Catholicism on the RC forum.

Thank you

 

[GregConstantine]

What I mean to say is if someone coming from a RC background is asking questions about Orthodoxy to better understand Orthodoxy, then that's fine, but if you want to discuss the various nuances of RC practices, rituals, how to be received into the RC Church, etc, I feel that should be discussed elsewhere.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I think it was a necessary segue based on concerns we all have for the OP, but I suspect we have mostly expressed our concerns.

Thank you for the reminder.

 

[Anhelyna]

GC - the problem is he has not mentioned his doubts to any degree on OBOB - only here.

Please note - I did refer to Orthodoxy as well pointing out that it you have doubts it's wrong to go forward to Reception into either.

Personally speaking I'm glad others have also commented on the RC side of this as it does show how neither Catholicism or Orthodoxy believes that reception is inevitable once the process [ dreadful description but I can't think of a better one ] has started.

 

[GregConstantine]

I know but this is still an Orthodox forum.

 

[Anhelyna]

So what do all of us do - nothing - let a disaster happen ?

Is that showing Christian love for someone ?

He needs our prayers - lots of them so he can discern where he should be.

He also needs our prayers that he can be strong enough to ask for more time for this discernment

 

[aChildOfMary]

What I mean to say is if someone coming from a RC background is asking questions about Orthodoxy to better understand Orthodoxy, then that's fine, but if you want to discuss the various nuances of RC practices, rituals, how to be received into the RC Church, etc, I feel that should be discussed elsewhere.

Well I am aware that TAW isnt the place for such, but reception into RCC was the reason why he posted so as far as my understanding of CF even though we have safehavens on this place others are allowed to post non prozetylating info and posts aren't they?

Sometimes we all fall into the pit of prozetylation places where it doesn't belong, but this time I cannot see anyone doing so.

Actually is rather the opposite that has occurred here, we're all stressing the importance of this choice and how it shouldn't be taken lightly.

It's a nice reminder dear Greg, but so far we've only provided useful information in a non prozetylating way.æ as I see it.

Thanks again for reminding us It's a fine line

 

[RKO]

And technically, is it proselytizing if all we Catholics.suggested was that he go slowly, investigate Orthodoxy and make a good decision?

Having said that I will withdraw from this thread and offer an apology to any who were offended. Up till today I have received nothing but welcoming kindness here at TAW and I would not want to do or say anything to change that.

 

[gzt]

I'm kind of confused, I don't see what they were saying as being out of line. It certainly is a razor's edge, but they're navigating it. I'm not a fan of these types of threads in general, frankly.

I would just say this: some questions and jitters as you make this momentous decision are normal. Some are not. If it's beyond normal, you should not feel pressured to go through with it now. You have an entire lifetime ahead of you. It's much better to wait an extra year or two before becoming Catholic (or Orthodox) than to become one in a rush, then after a few years, make the switch.

 

[Leevo]

This is a wise post by Anhelyna as always
I'm just curious Leevo as for why this rush?
As long as the priest remain in the parish he'll know that you went through with RCIA and to me it sounds like enourmes stupidity to force a person through another round of RCIA just because he needed a few extra months to decide.

It is a choice that are intended to last for the rest of your life so it's not to be taken lightly.
Also if you don't mean it wholeheartedly the profession of faith will feel so false for yourself and feeling like some sort of a hypocrite.

Does your priest or sponsors put pressure on you?
They may do so because they really like you becoming Catholic and it's out of good will.
If they do so however you should correct them as they may act this way without knowing it themselves.

RCIA is meant to feed you with enough knowledge of Catholicism to enable you to make a choice it doesn't mean that the choice is easy to make even at the end of the course.
some people spend 1 year others spend 10 while figuring out where they belong so please don't rush this.

Also you know that confirmation are being performed outside of the Easter season too?
If they tell you otherwise it's wrong.

I converted to Catholicism a year ago and I have fought a numerous of battles since then.
I'm very Traditional and Pope Francis and the synod of 14 put me under seriouse doubt and I'm afraid that this year's synod will be very stressful for me to.
I am trying to remember that God has always kept his hand over his church and will continue to do so until the end of times, so I should not worry like those who has no faith.

The Pope doesn't lead the church ultimately, God does.

Anyway the reason I say this is so you're aware, it will be challenging at times especially when one come from Protestantism.
We are being tried in our faith both prior to Convertion and afterwards so there will always be doubt.
The question is, Is the doubt to big for you to go through with this now?

If so PLEASE wait until it's time.




Your brother in Christ
- aChildOfMary

This was a good reply. I thank you for your concern. I have talked to the leader of the RCIA at my parish, and she helped me get over some of my doubts. I was going to go ahead with the Rites, because I will still have more time afterwards before confirmation. I will bring up my concerns to her later today, about Orthodoxy and see if she has some input.

 

[Leevo]

The question is, Is the doubt to big for you to go through with this now?

I don't believe it is too big. It is only over this one issue (the pope), which I feel could be worked out quickly, should I receive the evidence.

 

[Leevo]

I hope you don't feel picked on. No one means to do that, I'm sure. I think we all just feel that it's very important to be SURE before joining either Church.

I don't feel picked on at all. I feel the same way. I still have mixed feelings about the whole thing. I think I will bring up my concerns with the leader of my class and see what she thinks.

 

[Leevo]

Leevo

I've now to try and remember what I tried to post just before the dratted database back up or whatever it is happened , and which then ate my reply !!

Here goes again

I'm in a difficult situation here - I'm Catholic posting in TAW - but I reckon all here know I will never ever speak against Orthodoxy or any of its teachings.

you said

Now let me tell you how I see this

1) you are not 100% sure that either the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church are where you should be.

2) you have doubts - serious doubts as to whether you should go forward with the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Enrolment

Have you spoken to the people in charge of your RCIA course about these doubts ? Have you spoken with the priest ?

If not why not ?

Going forward with the Rites is part of entering the Church - are you 150% ready to do that ?

You say you have doubts and yet you say

Confirmation is the final part of your Initiation into Catholicism - it is an integral part of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.

Entering the Church indicates that you 100% accept her teachings - do you ?

At this point if you expressed these doubts to an Orthodox Priest who was preparing you for Baptism, and Chrismation on Lazarus Saturday I can't help feeling he would be saying - " Hold on let's talk about this some more . I'm not sure you are ready to make this step yet "

Please please please think about this. You do NOT have to enter Catholicism just because you have been through the RCIA Course - you should enter Catholicism because you believe it is THE way for you - for your spiritual health and you would not be happy anywhere else.

Thank you for your concern, I am going to speak to the leader of my class and discuss it with her, I will see if I can't slow this down a bit until I am ready.

 

[Anhelyna]

Leevo - I'm really glad you have come back to read today - I was concerned that you wouldn't.

None of us - Catholic [ both varieties since I'm the only EC one here ] or Orthodox want to push you one way or the other. None of us actually can do that. You are the one who has to decide which way you go, and it has to be an informed decision.

Pray about it and talk about it.

 

[Leevo]

Pray about it and talk about it.

Will do, thanks!