28-JAN-2004
Article to appear in Deacon's Digest

I'm Catholic Too !

By

Father Deacon Nicholas A. Daddona

     During the spring of 2003 the local Roman diocese was consecrating a new auxiliary bishop.  I was called and asked if I would like to give a greeting ad in the local diocesan paper, to which I agreed.  I also asked why I did not receive a ticket to the consecration?  I was called back and was told, "If you want a ticket ontact the ecumenical office of the diocese."  I replied,  "I am not ecumenical: I am Catholic."  Needless to say I never got a ticket.

    This incident made me realize how little the members of the Roman Catholic Church know about the Eastern Catholic Churches.  To add to this problem, I am amazed at the number of Western deacons who do not know or understand that the Church is more than just Roman.

    Let me state who we are.  We are one of the Churches that make up the Communion of the Catholic Churches.  Granted the Roman Church is the largest of the Churches in the communion still, there are at least 22 Eastern Churches of equal dignity according to Vatican II.  We are Catholic, yet our Churches are different from those of Rome.  Our celebration of the Eucharist and other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are different, along with a variety of our prayers.

     Entering our churches you will find the altar not facing the people; the altar is considered the throne of God and the Gospel Book is constantly enthroned thereon.  The Eucharistic is reserved for the sick and most churches do not have Eucharistic devotion or veneration. Our church is divided by an Iconostasis (icon screen), which separates the altar area, representing the heavenly, and the nave of the church, representing the earthly.

      The Holy Mysteries are also celebrated differently.  For example, the Mysteries of Initiation include Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation) and Eucharist are all received at the same time.  Penance is administered face to face in front of the icon of the Lord to whom our sins are revealed.  Marriage can not be celebrated by a deacon, but must be performed by a priest who crowns the couple and gives the blessing of the Church.  The Eastern Catholic prayer to the Mother of God is the Akathist Hymn not the rosary. This hymn was used by Pope John Paul II to close the Marian year.  As you can see from these examples the Eastern Churches of the Catholic Communion are different, yet all are CATHOLIC.

    The big question that remains is, why do people have little or no knowledge of these other Catholic Churches?  Why is it that Western deacons are ordained and yet have little or no knowledge or experience in or with Eastern Churches?  Is this not a direct violation of the Holy Father's desire that the Church breathe with both lungs Eastern and Western?  How can deacons be ordained to the diaconate and think that the Roman Church is the only Catholic Church?  What has happened to deacon programs across this country that do not have at least a lecture or some experience in an Eastern Catholic Church?  How can diocesan programs say that candidates are ready for ordination without knowledge of what Catholic really means?

          I hope that this small article stimulates deacon programs across the country to add information concerning the Eastern Churches.  I hope and pray that all ordained men at least will have enough knowledge about the Eastern Catholic Churches so that an Eastern Deacon will not have to say "wait a minute I am Catholic too!"