Hi MH,Eastern 'rite' Catholics as you
call us, or more accurately simply Eastern Catholics ARE Catholics,
just like 'Roman' Catholics [I put 'Roman' in quotes since this is a
common misnomer, in no document from the Catholic Church, Pope,
Ecumenical Council, are members of the Latin Church sui iuris actually
called 'Roman' Catholics; it is a common phrase in the English speaking
world, but technically inaccurate and it is my understanding that the
Anglican Church first started its use] or more accurately Latin
Catholics are also Catholics. Within the FULL COMMUNION of the Catholic
Church there are 22 Churches sui iuris in full communion with the Pope
of Rome, Benedict XVI - 1 of these Churches sui iuris, the Latin Church
is of the Western tradition, the other 21 Churches sui iuris, are of
the Eastern tradition. However, again, these are ALL CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
There is no such thing as an Eastern Catholic Church NOT in full
communion with the Pope of Rome thereby denying the infallibility of
the Pope of Rome. So, please note that distinction. Now, outside
of full communion with the Catholic Church, are the Orthodox Churches.
These Churches, generally speaking, celebrate the same liturgies as
their Eastern Catholic analogous Churches, but are NOT in full
communion with the Pope of Rome and as a result, the Catholic Church is
NOT in full communion with these Churches. Orthodox Christians
recognize the Pope of Rome as the first among equals, but do not hold
to the teaching of the infallibility of the Pope, because this
infallible dogma was universally proclaimed at the first Vatican
Council, 1869-1870, but at this time since the Orthodox Churches and
the Catholic Church were NOT in full communion, the Orthodox bishops
did not agree to this definition of the papacy, hence they do not
recognize this teaching. Don't forget, that we generally agree that the
Catholic and Orthodox Churches 'split' around 1054 AD, and
unfortunately have not been in full communion with each other since. Having
said all of that, Catholics may receive the sacraments in each other's
Churches without exception, because we are already in full communion. Under
certain circumstances, because the Orthodox Churches are so close
theologically, ecclesiologically, etc. with the Catholic Church,
Orthodox may receive Holy Communion, Penance and Anointing of the Sick
in the Catholic Church - see CIC canon 844. Regarding
Lutherans, while they of all of the traditional Protestant communities
are indeed closest to the Catholic Church in terms of doctrine, we do
not permit their access to our sacraments as easily as we do with the
Orthodox, since there are greater disagreements about our understanding
of these sacraments in part. Also, we do recognize the validity of the
priesthood in the Orthodox Churches and do not in the Lutheran
ecclesial communities. I hope this helps a bit. Peace,
Bob
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