Whats the difference between Malkite Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic?

Answer 1

The Melkite Greek Catholics are a part of the Eastern Rite, praticing the Byzantine Rite, but they are different are different from many Eastern Orthodox Catholics because they do recognize the Holy See in Rome- Pope Benedict XVI.

They are in communion with Rome, recognizing the Pope's authority, but operate distinctively from the Latin Rites. The laws, customs, devotions, and practices of the Sacraments are often different. Yet these Rites recognize the authority of the Pope and are a part of the Holy Mother Church.

Answer 2

Just to provide some further understanding. The Catholic Church is a federation of what are called "particular" churches. Each particular church has varying degrees of self governance. The Melkites are fully self governing. This means that while they are in union with the Pope of Rome, they are not governed by Rome.

Most of the misunderstandings of the Pope's role come from confusion with his role as Patriarch of the West and as Successor to Peter. As Patriarch of the West he has pretty firm authority of the Roman Patriarchate. He is the final decision maker within the patriarchate. However, there are 22 other particular churches. The Melkite's derive their authority from the ancient church of Antioch. They are also a patriarchate. The Pope has very limited authority outside his patriarchate. Nonetheless, he is the successor to Peter and holds responsibility for the whole Church.

So now for the differences:
1) Infants receive baptism, confirmation (chrismation) and communion at 40 days as was the practice in the first century.
2)Their liturgy is derived from the liturgy of James not the liturgy of Peter or the Gallican liturgies.
3) They have their own code of canon law. I do believe married men are allowed to be priests, but bishops I believe must be monks.
4)They have a different set of liturgical seasons and commemorate a different set of martyrs in their calendar.
5)They have a different understanding of many basic concepts from Roman rite Catholics. While they affirm the same Truths they understand them in very different ways. Confession is not see as a juridical act, but a healing act. Christ is the medicine of life.
6)Western theology tends to be focused on static ways of thinking whereas Melkite theology tends to be focused on the dynamics.
7)Truly Protestantism could not have come out of the Melkites. Most of the necessary antecendent thoughts only exist as late ideas in Roman Christianity. Protestantism's basis is totally missing in this ancient church. All kinds of minor but necessary foundational ideas are really created in late Latin Christianity and so this other early version of Christianity completely missess it. Protestants would find these ancient services from the time of the Roman persecution of Christians horrifying theologically speaking. They are largely unchanged from the first century. THe last major change was to move the intercessory prayers to the beginning from the middle in the year 750. Prior to that, it was shortened in around the year 320 and prior to that shortened in around 280. Other than that, the firs century is preserved very well.
8) Its liturgical language is Arabic not Latin.
9) Approach the sacraments as mysteries not sacraments or the Protestant reduction to Ordinances.
10) With greater intensity engage in fasting, almsgiving and prayer during the penitential liturgical seasons and through the ordinary year.
11) With greater focus, seek the interior way and less emphasis on the world of doing something. They seek first to build their interior life with Christ and then take that into the world.
12)The eucharistic liturgy is not daily and other forms of prayer dominate the days.

Answer 3

As somebody who worships at a Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Molly F above, is exactly right. Give her the points!!!!

Now visit

http://www.melkite.org

and also view for a structured view of the Catholic Church
http://www.scborromeo.org/images/fig6.gif

Answer 4

There are many rites within the catholic church. Without double checking that this is one of them, not some other eastern rite church, but if it is one of the other Catholic Rites, they all follow Rome as the head of the church but difference come mainly in preists being allowed to marry and some of the rituals.

Answer 5

I believe that the Greek Church does not believe the Pope is an infallible being.

Answer 6

Greek=no pope, and priest can have a wife (thank you Lord)

Answer 7

They practice insanity in different languages.