Eastern catholics

[Krysostomos]

Eastern rite catholic churches are supposed to have a large autonomy (if not nearly independent status) in the Catholic church.
Lately there have came some news from the States, that Rome have forbidden Melkite church to ordain married men to priesthood - the ancient tradition of all eastern churches.
Means this, that after all Rome rules and the eastern catholic churches do like the latins want?!?

[Charlotte]

Krysostomos,

I haven't seen this news - it sounds terrible - I'd like to know more - can you post the news here in the forum if you find more info about it?

I don't think that the united churches are that independent from Rome.

Although they should be able to keep their tradition of ordaining married men....!

So I really wonder what may have happened...?!

Charlotte

[Krysostomos]

Well, I picked the information from the forum of www.orthodoxchristianity.net (orthodox-catholic discussion/The primacy of Honour vs. primacy of Authority page 3)

[Charlotte]

Krysostomos,

You may tell them at that forum that they're welcome to have a look here too...and participate if they like.

What they say is interesting - I finally found it - let me quote the best part of it and comment it a bit...

"Until recently, the Vatican also forbid all eastern Catholic bishops in the United States from ordaining married men to the priesthood. The situation is still ambiguous and my understanding that the last time Bishop Elya ordained a married man, it was unofficially frowned upon. Also, look at what is happening to the Ruthenian Liturgy. The new translation seems to follow many of the principles used by the translators of the Novus Ordo, including a certain amount of inclusive language. Eastern Catholics are also required to follow the theology of marriage and its indisolubility as proclaimed by Rome and uses annulment proceedings to handle divorce and remarriage. I also know of one Melkite parish that uses altar girls and I see no reason why this practice won't be extended by the Ruthenians and others."

I didn't know that it had ever been forbidden to ordain married men there - it sounds strange indeed. But perhaps it was just locally - some rule - because of something that happened??? Perhaps the person who wrote about it could comment it more here? It would be interesting.

Then the liturgy - I thought it was orthodox liturgy - not latin rite, in all the united churches? And the pope is now "censuring" away all inclusive language (female language about God for example) and wanting to go back to latin - so it's sursprising that what is taken away in the latin rite churches would now be added in the orthodox/united ones??

I can understand that since the churches are united with Rome - they are obliged to follow catholic marriage/annulment proceedings... But to me the whole thing looks very much like hypocracy (sp?)... It would be better to use the orthodox rules in the catholic church as well...

I'm happy to hear about the altar girls being introduced!!!!!

Charlotte