« Reply #45 on: June 27, 2012, 09:00:07 PM »
Any Orthodox priest who does it, I would not commune with.
Validity of Eucharist depending on personal opinion of a priest? Isn't that a heresy?
Nope. CF1888 has it 100%. If you know a priest is practicing another religion, or incorporating other religions into his beliefs, that ain't opinion. So who can be sure that said priest isn't hiding crystals on the altar table somewhere? Who can be sure he isn't reciting some sort of mantra instead of the prayers? I agree with you that this is all highly unlikely, but if a priest is practicing two religions, he's got both of them wrong; ergo, I would not commune with him either. And that ain't heresy, or opinion.
Then you're saying that the vitality of the Sacramental Mysteries is dependent upon the personal sanctity of the priest, which is the heresy of Donatism.
Don't believe I said that. Certainly didn't mean that.
The Holy Mysteries are the work of the Church, not the personal work of the priest,
I agree 100%, yet if there are crystals and mantras involved, then it isn't the Holy Mysteries.
so until such time that the priest is excommunicated/deposed by his bishop for heresy, the Sacramental Mysteries he dispenses are still valid and filled with grace.
Not if I see it first. Again, it's highly unlikely, but if there are other religious practices being mixed in the Mysteries, then they're not the Mysteries. If we're 100% sure, then we shouldn't need to wait for the bishop's decree.
Now, if you choose to break communion with him, that's your business. There's certainly precedent for that, as well, and you wouldn't necessarily be blameworthy for doing so.
Then then, is it heresy or not?
Heresy is fundamentally a choice, so if you choose to be a heretic, you choose to be a heretic. That's your choice.
Thanks. I know.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2012, 09:01:14 PM by GabrieltheCelt »

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