Western Catholics Vs. E. Catholic Vs. Orthodox

[Anastasia13]

Do Eastern Catholics think about things more like the Roman Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox? Whose philosophy do they most follow? Is E. Catholic the same as western Catholic with Eastern liturgy?

[Chamomile]

From what I've read, which is only a little and I've only started to learn about this recently, most people seem to say that the thinking/spirituality/philosophy is basically Orthodox, since that's where the history comes from. Here's a website that has some good information about how Eastern & Western Catholicism are different yet united:



[url="http://www.east2west.org/"]http://www.east2west.org/[/url]



I don't think Eastern Catholics would say they're just Roman Catholic with the Eastern liturgy. There are differences, but the differences are not so major and theological as to merit separation from the Catholic Church. Personally, I've found learning about the Eastern way of thinking, praying, and expressing our Faith to be a great blessing.... even though I'll probably remain a Roman Catholic.

Here is Pope John Paul II's letter on the Eastern Churches, which I actually haven't read myself yet:


[url="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html"]Orientale Lumen[/url]



Do you have an Eastern Catholic Church near you? It would be best to talk to the priest or deacon there. I've found that some Internet forums on this topic give a wide variety of information and some people seem to be upset at or biased/misinformed towards one or the other side.

Pax & God bless!