Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church have had a complex and often contentious relationship, with a formal split occurring during the East-West Schism of 1054, leading to mutual excommunications. This schism created two distinct churches with differing theological beliefs and practices. While the Catholic Church has not officially declared the Orthodox Church heretical, some Catholics may view the Orthodox as heretics due to their rejection of certain Catholic dogmas, such as the dogma of the faith of the pope's supremacy and infallibility, original sin, and the Immaculate Conception. On the other hand, Orthodox Christians also consider Catholics heretics due to their divergence from traditional teachings. Despite these differences, recent decades have seen a warming of relations and increased ecumenical efforts between the two churches, with a shared desire to restore Christian unity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic view of Orthodox Christians | Not heretics, but schismatics |
| Orthodox view of Catholics | Heretics |
| Reason for Catholic view | Orthodox do not reject Catholic dogma, but are superficial products of divergent theological approaches |
| Reason for Orthodox view | Catholics introduced innovations that are opposed to the ecclesiastical condition of the first nine centuries |
| Current relationship | Warming, with both sides engaging in ecumenical efforts |
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What You'll Learn
The Orthodox consider Catholics heretics
The Orthodox do consider Catholics to be heretics. This is due to the rejection of several dogmas, including the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the Infallibility of the Pope. These dogmas were defined after the Great Schism, so they are only binding on Catholics, not the Orthodox.
In his essay, "Attributes of the Church," the Blessed Archimandrite Justin (Popovich) writes:
> From time to time, heretics and schismatics have cut themselves off and have fallen away from the One and indivisible Church of Christ, whereby they ceased to be members of the Church and parts of Her Theanthropic Body. The first to fall away thus were the Gnostics, then the Arians, then the Macedonians, then the Monophysites, then the Iconoclasts, then the Roman Catholics, then the Protestants, then the Uniates, and so on—all the members of the legion of heretics and schismatics.
It is important to note that the Orthodox Church has never officially declared Roman Catholics or Protestants to be heretics. This is likely to further their ecumenical agenda of a false union with Western heterodoxy. However, it is clear from the writings of Orthodox leaders and theologians that they do consider Catholics to be heretics.
While the Orthodox may consider Catholics heretics, the Catholic Church does not hold the same view of the Orthodox. In the Catholic perspective, the Orthodox have not rejected their core beliefs but rather have different theological approaches. The Catholic Church sees the Eastern Orthodox as maintaining the same doctrines concerning God and divine things.
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Catholics are bound by dogma defined after the Great Schism
The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church have had a complex and often contentious relationship throughout history, with periods of both unity and division. The East-West Schism of 1054 marked a significant rupture in their relationship, leading to the formation of two distinct churches. This event, also known as the Great Schism, resulted in mutual excommunications and highlighted several theological differences between the two traditions.
While there is no official declaration from the Orthodox Church stating that Catholics are heretics, some Orthodox individuals and sources do consider Catholicism to be heretical. This view stems from the Orthodox rejection of certain Catholic dogmas, such as the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the Infallibility of the Pope. These dogmas, defined after the Great Schism, are binding on Catholics but not on the Orthodox. The Orthodox Church's denial of the dogma of the Pope's supremacy and infallibility, in particular, has been characterised by some as heresy.
However, it is important to recognise that the term "Orthodox" can refer to several distinct groups, and there may be variations in beliefs and interpretations within Orthodox Christianity. Additionally, the Catholic Church itself does not consider the Orthodox to be heretics. Instead, the Catholic position acknowledges that the Eastern Orthodox Church, while differing in certain theological approaches and formulations, maintains the same fundamental beliefs regarding God and divine matters.
Despite the theological differences and past divisions, recent decades have seen a warming of relations between the two traditions. Ecumenical efforts have been undertaken by both sides, and there is a growing appreciation for each other's patristic traditions. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) marked a significant shift in the Catholic Church's attitude towards the Orthodox Church, referring to them as "separated brethren" and lifting the mutual excommunications of 1054. Similarly, the Orthodox Church has engaged in dialogue and participated in ecumenical initiatives, with the current Patriarch of Constantinople expressing his belief in an inevitable reunion with the Catholic Church.
In conclusion, while the Orthodox rejection of certain Catholic dogmas defined after the Great Schism could be seen as a basis for considering Catholics as heretics, the Catholic Church does not hold this view. The complex theological differences and historical context surrounding the East-West Schism have shaped the relationship between the two traditions. Recent efforts towards Christian unity and reconciliation reflect a mutual desire to overcome past divisions and find common ground.
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The Orthodox reject the dogma of the Pope's supremacy
The Orthodox Christians consider Catholics heretics for denying the dogma of the Pope's supremacy among bishops, or infallibility. However, the Catholic Church does not consider the Orthodox Christians heretics, but rather schismatics. This is because the Orthodox reject the Pope's supremacy, but in the Catholic view, this is defined in canon law as schism and not heresy.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is opposed to the Roman Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy. They argue that the tradition of Rome's primacy in the early Church was not equivalent to the current doctrine of supremacy. The test of authentic catholicity is adherence to the authority of the Church's Holy Tradition and then to the witness of Sacred "Scripture", which is a product of the Church's Holy Tradition. The Eastern Orthodox Church has never accepted the pope as the de jure leader of the entire church. All bishops are equal "as Peter", and every church under each bishop is fully complete, which is the original meaning of catholic.
The Orthodox position is that the pope is not the successor of the Apostle Peter and does not receive all rights and privileges from him. The pope is not the head of the whole Church or the vicar of Christ. The teaching on the infallibility of the pope is considered a dogmatic error, and Pope Honorius, for example, fell into the Monothelite heresy and was excommunicated from the Church by the Sixth Ecumenical Council.
The teaching on the infallibility of the pope and his supremacy arose in the Middle Ages and was only turned into a dogma in 1870 at the First Vatican Council, despite the protest of many Catholics. The concept of papal infallibility states that the pope, as the pastor and teacher of all Christians, is infallible when he defines or proclaims the truths of the faith ex cathedra, or officially, as the head of the Church. This is based on the belief that Christ made the Apostle Peter His vicar on earth, the prince of the apostles, and the head of the visible Church, with plenipotentiary authority over the apostles and the whole Church.
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The Catholic Church considers the Orthodox 'separated brethren'
The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church have had a complex and often contentious relationship throughout history, with periods of both division and reconciliation. The two churches formally broke communion during the East-West Schism of 1054, which created a lasting divide and marked the beginning of their separate existence.
Despite their differences, the Catholic Church has refrained from declaring the Orthodox Church heretical. Instead, the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) referred to the Orthodox Church as "separated brethren," acknowledging their shared roots and validity within Christianity. This conciliatory gesture reflected a desire to foster unity and improve relations between the two traditions.
The Catholic Church's perspective on the Orthodox Church is shaped by their interpretation of theological differences. While the Orthodox Church does not accept certain Catholic dogmas defined after the Great Schism, such as the Immaculate Conception and the Infallibility of the Pope, the Catholic Church considers these differences as more superficial than fundamental. They attribute the divergences to distinct theological approaches rather than heresy, viewing the Orthodox as maintaining the same core beliefs concerning God and divine matters.
However, it is important to note that the dynamic is not entirely harmonious. Some sources indicate that the Orthodox Church considers the Catholics to be heretics. This view is driven by the belief that Catholics have introduced innovations that deviate from the ancient condition of the "one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ." Nevertheless, both churches have engaged in ecumenical efforts in recent decades, indicating a mutual desire to bridge their differences and restore Christian unity.
In summary, while the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have had a historically fraught relationship due to theological and doctrinal differences, the Catholic Church refrains from labeling the Orthodox as heretics. Instead, they recognize them as "separated brethren," reflecting a nuanced understanding of their shared history and a hope for future reconciliation.
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The East-West Schism of 1054 ruptured relations
The Eastern Orthodox Church rejected the union with the Catholic Church, influenced by anti-Western sentiments among the lower classes and the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. This rejection was driven by ongoing theological disagreements, including the filioque, purgatory, and papal primacy. The Orthodox argued that the council of Florence, which espoused Protestant reformer John Calvin's teachings, was not a valid Ecumenical Council as it deviated from tradition.
The Catholic Church, on the other hand, considered the Orthodox to be heretics due to their denial of certain Catholic dogmas, such as the dogma of the faith of the pope's supremacy and infallibility, original sin, and the Immaculate Conception. However, the Catholic Church also recognised the validity of Orthodox sacraments and priesthood, referring to them as "separated brethren" during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
The schism caused immense lament on both sides, as it contradicted Jesus Christ's exhortation "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). In recent decades, efforts have been made to restore Christian unity through ecumenical scholarship and dialogue, indicating a warming of relations between the two churches.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Orthodox are considered heretics by Catholics because they deny the Catholic dogma on the papacy.
Yes, the Orthodox Christians consider Catholics heretics.
The first conflict between the two groups arose when Emperor Constantius appointed an Arian heretic as patriarch. Pope Julian excommunicated the patriarch in 343.
