Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

On Heretics

Question:

I am a Protestant who has recently graduated with a biblical studies degree, and have learned more about Roman Catholics than I have before.  I have also been to a Greek Orthodox temple a couple of times as well, learning some about the Eastern Church. Towards the end of my education, I have learned that the Eastern Church considers the Roman Catholic Church heretics.  I was wondering what the reason behind that was.

Answer:

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

Congratulations on your educational achievements.

The word "heresy" derives from the Greek "(h)airomai" meaning "to choose" and implies a choice of dissident beliefs or a faction of believers who dissent from that which the Church has always and everywhere believed as the fifth century Church Father, St. Vincent of Lerins, put it.

Strictly speaking, because there, alas, remain differences in the expression of some important doctrines regarding ecclesiology, chiefly the universal jurisdiction and professed infallibility of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, (there are some other matters as well, for example the procession of the Holy Spirit) some Orthodox teachers do indeed call Catholics heretics.

Such is not generally the case, however, for the word "heretic" has assumed an insulting connotation which is hardly an acceptable title for those who confess, believe in, serve and worship Our Lord Jesus Christ as true Man and true God.

There is an on-going international Orthodox-Catholic dialogue which met most recently in Belgrade, Serbia, in September 2006 and is scheduled to re-convene in Ravenna, Italy, in October 2007. This is one of many efforts aimed at restoring Communion between these tragically separated folds of our Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray, hope and believe that our Lord will bring us together around His Table in the fulness of time.

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