Expert: Sal - 8/18/2009

Question
Hi - I have some questions to ask on Eastern Vs Western Orthodox Churches wrt Roman Catholic Church; as the Other Orthodox Churches claim that they are the only True Church. And I know that our Pope visited the Patriarch in Constantinople and celebrated mass there. Just wanted to understand if there is any Theological difference between them.

Also the Roman Church is accused by outsiders on doing excess of Veneration that is not required and not practiced extensively by other Orthodox Churches

Answer
Dear Charles:

There are theological differences between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. The first differences is that they do not recognize the authority given by Jesus to the Pope ("I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven". Mt 16:18). They see him as the first among equals despite all the references in the New Testament to Peter's authority over the others. They also allow for divorce and remarriage, etc. The main difference, however, is over the Pope.

sal