Read it here.
HT: Dr. Tighe
This is not intended as a polemical post and I would encourage
readers to approach it as a reflection on how the Orthodox East views the
current crisis in the Western Church. Some of what is written may cause
some discomfort, but setting aside the very real doctrinal differences
between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, I suspect that many
Catholics will find themselves in agreement (perhaps
reluctantly) with some of the observations made.
I think the comments at the linked website are worth reading. A few are unfortunate, but many make good points.
Met Ephrem (Kyriakos): The Ladder to God
1 hour ago
1 comment:
It is interesting to see that the issues of remarriage and contraception always come as the principal accusation against the Orthodox Church. They don't need to elaborate on this, just mention it to completely disregard the claims of the Easterners: "Yeah, great, but they accept divorce and contraception".
However, the Eastern practice of "economy" on divorce is centuries old (it precedes the schism, as is already accepted by Basil in the fourth century). It is better than a legalistic "annulment" that actually scandalizes and confounds people. I recommend this article by a Melkite bishop: https://melkite.org/faith/faith-worship/chapter-15
When it comes to contraception, we have to remember that even "natural family planning" is an accomodation to people's weknessess. For Augustine, Ambrose and other (mostly Western) Fathers, it was a sin even to have sex with your pregnant wife. They would not agree with Huamanae Vitae either. Now, I think the Orthodox pastoral practice is more realistic and takes seriously the challenges of married men and women.
It is not coincidence that, while the Latin Church is proud to have taken a stricter view on issues of marriage and sex, its laity in traditional Catholic countries has long learned to ignore the Church teachings on these things (and this much before the Vatican II)...
Post a Comment