101 Questions & Answers on Eastern Catholic Churches

by Edward Faulk

This book, another of the informative and reader-friendly 101 Questions & Answers series, provides an introductory look at the theology, practices and structure of the Eastern Catholic Churches, with a comparison to the Latin Rite Church. Although the author emphasizes the Byzantine and Maronite Churches, he takes into account all the ritual Churches. Written with Roman (Latin) Catholic readers in mind, this book answers questions on the differences and similarities between the eastern Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches that believers may have wondered about or never had the opportunity to ask, e.g., Why do Eastern Catholic babies get to go to communion?; Are the saints in the East different from those in the West? This information-packed overview book paves the way for readers to address Pope John Paul II’s directive in Orientale Lumen with regard to learning about the East. †

Genres: Theology, Religion, Catholic

Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Holly Paluck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good resource for clarifying some misconceptions about the Eastern Catholic Churches written in a helpful Q and A format. Uses common language. Targetted at helping Latin Rite Catholics understand the west, but as an Eastern Catholic reading it, I learned some things myself and thought that the Eastern Catholics should read this book to gain a deeper understanding of why we do what we do and how it is different/similar to the Latin Rite!!

[Phil Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich with lots of historical information. Helped to clear up some misconceptions I had between Catholics (East and West) and Orthodox.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE EASTERN CHURCHES

Author Ed Faulk wrote in the Introduction to this 2007 book, "I'm going to assume that you [the reader] are probably a Latin or Roman Catholic... I'm also going to assume that you have some interest in the Eastern Catholic Churches. Of course, you could be an Eastern Catholic and are looking at this book for information about churches other than your own. There's also the possibility that you are reading this just to see what I have to say... I think this book can address all these issues." (Pg. 3)

He explains, "Following the so-called East-West Schism of 1054, the Churches of the East retained the name 'Orthodox'... while the Church of Rome retained the title 'Catholic'... In some cases, parts of various Orthodox Churches grew discontented with their treatment at the hands of other Orthodox or local authorities, and they petitioned Rome for union... which led to a long period of 'Uniatism.' Those Orthodox Churches that returned to communion with the Church of Rome are part of what we now call 'Eastern Catholic Churches.'" (Pg. 5)

He points out, "The term 'uniate' was originally applied and is still in use by the orthodox in a negative sense. It refers to the Eastern Catholic Churches who had unified themselves with Rome at the expense of their union with the Orthodox Church. The term more commonly used is 'uniatism,' which was the designation for how the Church of Rome brought portions of the Orthodox Churches into communion. Uniatism has since been determined to be the wrong approach---and wrong term---to seeking reunion with the orthodox and is no longer pursued by the Church of Rome." (Pg. 37-38)

About the question of "Why do Eastern Catholic babies get to go to communion," he says, "Eastern Catholics wonder why Latin Catholic babies aren't allowed to receive communion! The East cannot understand why Latin Catholic babies aren't allowed to receive communion! The East cannot understand why babies are baptized and then not allowed to receive another sacrament until they are seven years old---and then the sacrament they receive---reconciliation (first confession)---is not one of the 'sacraments of initiation,' which are baptism, confirmation/christmation, and Eucharist." (Pg. 71)

He observes, "Eastern Catholics... accept the CONCEPT of Purgatory, but explain it a little differently... For Eastern Catholics, there is an understanding that there is a purgation of all that would separate us from God. How this takes place is not defined... In the end, however, the East simply says that those who will be admitted to God's presence will be purged of what remains of their sinfulness." (Pg. 74)

This book will be very helpful for anyone wanting to know more about the Eastern Churches.

[Jeff G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read on the differences and frequently asked questions for people new to eastern Catholic Churches.

[Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, mostly information I already knew but the presentation was very good.