St. Cyril of Alexandria, the Champion of Faith that deposed the heresiarch Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople who denied the Divine Maternity of Mary.-
Glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ! Glory to Him Forever!
Dear Fr. Abe,
As I came across your blog after I received a message from an old friend regarding on the SOMASCAN priest's answers on questions about the Orthodox Church and in general, I felt disappointed and dismayed.
First of all, I am not a theologian nor a seminarian but a simple layman in the Orthodox Church and was a convert from the Roman Catholic Church.
After reading all the posts in your blog about the Orthodox Church particularly the Church here in the Philippines and your exchange of discussion from a certain Orthodox Deacon, I decided to write or give comment on some issues, which I find you misquoted and misinterpreted especially on some of the words of the Church Fathers in support of your stand about he Orthodox Church and of the Church you serve as a priest, the Papal Church.
Let me start with how you describe yourself as an "apologist" aside from being a priest under the SOMASCAN order, If I am not mistaken, the word apologetic came from the Greek word "apologia", which means in defense of or as reply or an answer. Taken from the word of St Peter in his First Epistle, "...But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."
In Orthodox theology, term Apologetics is used in regards to defending the true faith against atheists, pagans, Jews and others. This defense, however, is done in a manner that is loving and in order to bear good fruits and should not be polemical or obsessive in manner, which in many cases is considered detrimental to the Apostolic Faith.
But looking on your blog in general and your approach to your readers' inquiries, whether they are part of your faith or not, seems to be far from the admonition of St. Peter, whom you consider as your first pope. The sarcastic laugh and foul words to describe the enemies of your faith... like the word Mama Eli, Hehehe, etc. are not the words that I expect to see here. There is a big diference attacking the teachings of one person and attacking the person by giving such comments.
It seems that your approach is far from the mission and vision set forth by your congregation and shown by its founder. Just letting you know my apprehension as I have great respect to the order you belong because of its charitable works in the Philippines.
Now let me start answering one by one the issues raised by your readers about the Orthodox Church to the best of my knowledge.
In order for one to understand the teachings of the Orthodox Church, one must understand first her ecclesiology and tradition. I am just wondering, how in the Catholic seminaries especially here in the Philippines disuss the Church history especialy the first one thousand years of undivided Christianity.
- Fr. Abe, CRS said...
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[Glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ! Glory to Him Forever!]
GLORY TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.
[Dear Fr. Abe,]
DEAR JOEL.
[As I came across your blog after I received a message from an old friend regarding on the SOMASCAN priest's answers on questions about the Orthodox Church and in general, I felt disappointed and dismayed.]
REALLY? WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY TO YOU, A CONGRATULATION? A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE? OR A CONDOLENCE? OR WHAT?
YOU ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN. GOOD. I WAS ALSO VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH WHAT THAT ORTHODOX DEACON HAD WRITTEN AGAINST THE PAPACY AND AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. SO, THE FEELING IS MUTUAL.
[First of all, I am not a theologian nor a seminarian but a simple layman in the Orthodox Church and was a convert from the Roman Catholic Church.]
REALLY, I AM GLAD TO MEET A FORMER CATHOLIC TURNED TRAITOR TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH. YOU HAVE ABANDONED THE SEE OF PETER AND REPLACED IT WITH THE ROTTEN SEE OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND OF MOSCOW THE PUPPY OF THE COMMUNIST-SOVIET GOVERNMENT.
[After reading all the posts in your blog about the Orthodox Church particularly the Church here in the Philippines and your exchange of discussion from a certain Orthodox Deacon, I decided to write or give comment on some issues, which I find you misquoted and misinterpreted especially on some of the words of the Church Fathers in support of your stand about he Orthodox Church and of the Church you serve as a priest, the Papal Church.]
VERY GOOD THEN. I CHALLENGED YOU TO PROVE THAT I HAVE MISQUOTED THE FATHERS. LET ME SEE IF YOU CAN PROVE THAT THE SEE OF PETER IN ROME IS LOWER IN RANK THAN THE LUNATIC CHURCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE WHICH IS DREAMING OF BEING GREAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT IS IS CURSED INTO NOTHINGNESS AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. WHILE THE SEE OF PETER IS AS STRONG AND VIBRANT AS EVER.
[Let me start with how you describe yourself as an "apologist" aside from being a priest under the SOMASCAN order,]
GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU KNOW ME QUITE WELL BUT ON THE OTHER HAND I DON'T KNOW YOU. YOU ARE LIKE A DEMON LURKING ON THE DARK HIDING AND LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DECEIVE AND POSSESS.
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[ If I am not mistaken, the word apologetic came from the Greek word "apologia", which means in defense of or as reply or an answer.]
THAT IS RIGHT.
[ Taken from the word of St Peter in his First Epistle, "...But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."]
ST. PETER REFERS IN THAT PASSAGE TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKING FOR REASONS OF OUR FAITH. IF THEY WANT DIALOGUE THEN WE WILL GIVE THEM DIALOGUE. ON THE CONTRARY, IF THEY WANT TO FIGHT THEN WE WILL DEFEND OUR FAITH.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT GENTLE AND RESPECTFUL. YOU ALREADY ACCUSED ME OF MISQUOTING THE FATHERS. NOW I WILL TELL YOU THAT I WILL PROVE THAT YOU ARE LYING.
[In Orthodox theology, term Apologetics is used in regards to defending the true faith against atheists, pagans, Jews and others.]
WE DO ALSO. BUT WE ALSO USE IT AGAINST THE PROTESTANTS WHO ATTACK US AND TO ALL THOSE WHO SEEK THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH. THE ANTI CATHOLIC ORTHODOX WILL ALSO FALL INTO THE CATEGORY AND I THINK YOU ARE ONE.
[ This defense, however, is done in a manner that is loving and in order to bear good fruits and should not be polemical or obsessive in manner, which in many cases is considered detrimental to the Apostolic Faith.]
SO, YOU CONSIDER THAT DEACON AS LOVING THEN. IS THAT THE WAY OF LOVE YOU ARE CLAIMING TO HAVE POSSESSED AND IS LIVING DAILY?
[But looking on your blog in general and your approach to your readers' inquiries, whether they are part of your faith or not, seems to be far from the admonition of St. Peter, whom you consider as your first pope.]
I THINK YOU ARE BLIND. GENTLE AND LOVING QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND OPINIONS ARE TREATED WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION HERE. BUT WE RETURN FIRE WITH FIRE ON THOSE WHO SEEK TO DESTROY OUR FAITH. THE RULE OF ENGAGEMENT IS DIFFERENT FOR A PEACEFUL DIALOGUE AND FOR THE ATTACKERS.
[The sarcastic laugh and foul words to describe the enemies of your faith... like the word Mama Eli, Hehehe, etc.]
MAMA ELI IS NOT A FOUL WORD. MAMA IS MOTHER, IT IS NOT FOUL. ELI IS A NAME OF A MODERN DAY FILIPINO HERETIC, A HERESIARCH. IT IS NOT FOUL ALSO.
SO, YOU ARE LYING HERE. YOU ARE TURNING INTO FOUL WHAT IS NOT. MAMA ELI WILL FIND IT INSULTING, FINE, THAT'S GOOD FOR HIM. HE IS FOND OF ATTACKING AND INSULTING OTHERS. HE HAS TO TASTE HIS OWN MEDICINE FROM TIME TO TIME.
[ are not the words that I expect to see here. There is a big diference attacking the teachings of one person and attacking the person by giving such comments.]
YOU ARE STATING SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW. MAMA ELI IS ATTACKING OUR POPE PERSONALLY. HE IS ATTACKING OUR PRIESTS PERSONALLY AND HIS FOLLOWERS ATTACK ME PERSONALLY. THEN YOU WANT ME TO BE SOFT ON THEM. MAMA ELI DESERVES THAT. HE EVEN DESERVES TO BE IN PRISON FOR HIS HOMOSEXUAL RAPE CASE.
I AM VERY MUCH IMPRESSED THAT YOU ARE FOND OF MAMA ELI WHO USED TO INSULT THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND THE CREED THAT WE COMMONLY UPHELD.
[It seems that your approach is far from the mission and vision set forth by your congregation and shown by its founder.]
MY FOUNDER IS AN ITALIAN SAINT, A VENETIAN NOBLEMAN WHO LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE THE ORPHANS AND TAUGHT CATECHISMS TO THE PEOPLE.
LIKE HIM I ALSO LIVED AND SERVED THE ORPHANS IN OUR INSTITUTIONS AND LIKE HIM I'VE BEEN TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE EITHER IN SCHOOL OR IN THE WEB.
DON'T PRETEND TO BE THE SPOKESPERSON OF MY CONGREGATION AND OF MY FOUNDER SAINT. YOU ARE NOT CREDIBLE AND NOT AUTHORIZED.
[ Just letting you know my apprehension as I have great respect to the order you belong because of its charitable works in the Philippines.]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPECT TO MY CONGREGATION. I TOO HAVE A GREAT RESPECT TO THE ORTHODOX I KNOW PERSONALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE EXACTLY YOUR OPPOSITE. I NEVER HEAR THEM ATTACK THE PAPACY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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[Now let me start answering one by one the issues raised by your readers about the Orthodox Church to the best of my knowledge.]
GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU WILL ANSWER ME ONE BY ONE. BUT YOU ALREADY SHOW HERE THAT YOU ARE SUCH A HYPOCRITE. BECAUSE YOUR ARGUMENTS POSTED BELOW ARE NOT YOURS. YOU COPIED THEM FROM AN ORTHODOX WEBSITE AND COPY-PASTED THEM HERE.
[In order for one to understand the teachings of the Orthodox Church, one must understand first her ecclesiology and tradition.]
YOUR ECCLESIOLOGY IS ONE OF REBELLION AND TREACHERY TO THE SEE AND CONFESSION OF PETER. THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES CANNOT EVEN PRESENT A UNIFIED STAND ON MORAL ISSUES TODAY BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF A UNIFYING AUTHORITY AND INABILITY TO CALL AN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.
[I am just wondering, how in the Catholic seminaries especially here in the Philippines disuss the Church history especialy the first one thousand years of undivided Christianity.]
YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY IGNORANT OF OUR SEMINARY CURRICULUM AND FORMATION. AND IT IS PATHETIC THAT YOU ARE PRESENTING YOUR IGNORANCE IN ORDER TO PROJECT IT TO OUR SEMINARIES.
OUR SEMINARY FORMATION PRESENTS THE COMPLETE AND UNBROKEN TWO MILLENNIUM OF CHURCH HISTORY FROM POPE ST. PETER TO POPE BENEDICT XVI WITH THE 21 ECUMENICAL COUNCILS OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH. AND MIND YOU, IT INCLUDES THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND THE WAY THE SOVIET- COMMUNIST POLITBURO IN KREMLIN RE-ESTABLISHED THE PATRIARCHATE OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AS WELL AS HOW THESE SOVIETS CONFISCATED CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN EASTERN EUROPE AND GAVE THEM TO THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX AND THESE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX REFUSES TO HAND OVER UNTIL NOW MANY OF THESE CHURCHES.
PART 2: http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2010/10/refuting-another-orthodox-and-his-copy_19.html
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