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I don't see the big deal...

When the Latins retract the filioque clause from the Creed, that may be something to make an issue of.

Iqbal, it's a baby step, but we still praise the Lord for it. :-)

I hardly see how the textual changes in question constitute *any* step at all. They do not resolve *any* of the obstacles in the RCC's path to union with The Church.

Whether the congregation says "And with your spirit" in response to the priest or not has never been an issue for our Church, as far as I know. For years, the Coptic Church here in Sydney has been responding to the priest saying "And also with you" (See Fr. Tadros Malaty and Deacon Nabih Fanous, "The Coptic Liturgy" Third Edition). Such translation errors may be careless, but they have no significantly relevant theological implications whatsoever.

As far as Liturgical issues go, an act like turning the altars to face the west is one that may be considered a "baby step" as far as I'm concerned.

*correction*:

In my last paragraph, I meant to say:

"...turning the altars to face the East...*

Iqbal, the signifigance is not in what was done. But that it is signifying a slow shift of mindset of the Catholic Church in the US towards a return to the more traditional. Being in australia you may lack some context but the Catholic church in the US is a different creature than that which exists in Italy/Europe and other parts of the world. In the past several decades, it has more towards a more charismatic (dare I say protestant type of worship)with most catholics practising an ala carte form of catholicism picking and choosing what doctrines to follow.

It is significant especially since US bishop about 15 yrs ago had approved use of a 25 min. liturgy.

Hello!

I grew up Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Seventh Day Adventist and after 20-25 years of not being associated with any church joined the Catholic Church last year. I am also VERY interested in Orthodoxy and Coptic Orthodoxy in particular. I am sorry there has been so much strife through the centuries between Catholic and Orthodox. I would like to participate in the dialog between Catholic and Orthodox so I am trying to learn Arabic and Coptic and buying reading materials regarding the Coptic Orthodox Church. My Yahoo email address is jeffreycody@yahoo.com. I live in San Ramon, CA and would like to get to know Copts in my area. Thanks. Jeff

Dear Peter,

You perpetuate a common misconception held amongst Orthodox laity regarding the idea that a move towards what is "traditional" is what in effect constitutes a move towards the "Tradition" of the Church. This is simply not true.

The Tradition of the Church cannot be equated with what is "traditional" for that would imply that it is restricted to a static past time period. The Tradition of the Church is living; the inspiration of the Church continues till this very day. Take for example the Liturgical modifications enacted by the Holy Synod with respect to the Pentecost kneeling prayers. Those kneeling prayers were very much "traditional", yet our modification of them did not compromise a challenge to "Tradition" since the Synod decides Tradition in the present.

Thus, my position is maintained. Unless going back to what is "traditional" moves one closer to "Tradition", then it is meaningless, for to go back to what is "traditional" does not necessitate that one moves closer to "Tradition".

As far as Liturgical innovations go, I can list you hundreds of Liturgical modifications that our Church has undergone in the last few centuries or so. In other words, I can show you that our Church itself has departed from what was "traditional" yet without compromising "Tradition".