Podcast Summary: Catholic Answers Live #12462

Episode Title: Do Some Orthodox Traditions Allow for Multiple Marriages?
Guest: William Albrecht
Host: Edgar Lujano (Producer, filling in)
Date: November 18, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into Catholic and Orthodox theological differences, especially focusing on marriage, the papacy, the historical schism, and contentious doctrinal distinctions. Featuring apologist William Albrecht, the show addresses live callers' questions with warmth, clarity, and a strong apologetic bent—often stressing continuity with early Church teaching.

Key Discussion Points

1. Orthodox Recognition of Catholic Baptism

• Summary:
  Some Orthodox groups do not accept Catholic baptisms, usually because of a strict adherence to the triple immersion formula rather than theological disagreements over priesthood.
• Quote:
  “By and large, they do [accept it]... Usually those are going to be fringe groups that... insist on a triple immersion formula. Now... where on earth do you find that being normative in the early church? Well, it's never normative...” —William Albrecht (01:42)
• Timestamp: 01:42–02:35

2. Navigating Orthodox Apologetics and Resources

• Caller: Logan (Huntington Beach, CA)
• Question: How can a Catholic learn to handle the complex historical claims made by "Orthodox apologists" online?
• Key Points:
  • William advises caution with popular Orthodox YouTubers (e.g., Jay Dyer), highlighting that even their own clergy sometimes warn against them.
  • Recommends studying early Church Fathers and key councils:
    • Pope Clement (composed early evidence for papal supremacy)
    • St. Irenaeus (asserted churches' need to agree with Rome)
    • Councils: Nicaea (Canon 6), Ephesus 431, Chalcedon 451, Constantinople III, Nicaea II
  • Book Recommendations:
    • Joe Heschmeyer: Pope Peter (on biblical and historical case for the papacy)
    • Dr. Lakutis: Book on Byzantine replies regarding the papacy
• Quote:
  “...The early ones are massive. The early ones are really, really important because when we look at councils like Nicaea in particular, Canon 6 is a very important one... Rome’s jurisdictional primacy is recognized.” —William Albrecht (07:01)
• Timestamp: 03:42–09:07

3. Historical Roots of the Catholic-Orthodox Split

• Caller: Guadalupe (Winter Garden, FL)
• Question: Who instigated the schism, and what was the main issue?
• Key Points:
  • The Schism is commonly dated to 1054, but earlier fractures began in the 9th century (Photius, then Michael Cerularius).
  • Fundamental disagreement: The papacy. Other issues: filioque, liturgical praxis, fasting, use of leaven/unleavened bread.
  • Efforts at re-union often failed (e.g., Council of Florence, where Mark of Ephesus prevented union).
• Quote:
  “The deep theological root is going to be the papacy. Really, they had a great issue with that.” —William Albrecht (13:27)
• Timestamp: 11:25–15:26

4. Personal Conversion / Guidance for Converts (Holy Spirit “leading” into Orthodoxy or Catholicism)

• Caller: Aza (PA), former Protestant, Catholic convert
• Question: What to make of those who feel the Holy Spirit led them to Orthodoxy instead?
• Key Points:
  • Orthodoxy is ancient and beautiful but lacks the "visible center of unity" (Papal office) present in early Church.
  • God would not lead anyone away from the fullness of what He established.
  • The early Church, including local and ecumenical councils, always looked to Rome’s authority.
• Quote:
  “God would never lead us into less of what He gave the early Church.” —William Albrecht (17:06)
• Timestamp: 16:03–20:21

5. Acts 15: Peter’s Role and Orthodox Pushback

• Caller: Follows up on Aza’s question regarding Peter vs. James in Acts 15.
• Key Points:
  • Catholic doctrine: Peter isn’t always the only one to speak or act, but acts as decisive leader.
  • Orthodox sometimes argue James had primacy, but patristic (Greek Fathers!) commentaries affirm Peter’s role as head.
• Quote:
  “They don’t read these verses the way modern day Orthodox do. They read them the way the Catholics do.” —William Albrecht (22:57)
• Timestamp: 20:54–23:55

6. Filioque in Catholic and Eastern Rites

• Host’s Question: Why do Byzantine Catholics omit the filioque?
• Key Points:
  • Byzantine Catholics use the original Greek Creed.
  • Omission is not a denial; still affirm its truth, simply preserve Greek liturgical forms.
• Quote:
  “Omitting it is not condemning it.” —Edgar Lujano (25:53)
• Timestamp: 25:00–25:53

7. Orthodox Approach to Marriage, Divorce, and Annulment

• Caller: Chris (Niskayuna, NY)
• Question: How do Orthodox handle marriage, divorce, annulment, and mixed marriages?
• Key Points:
  • Most Orthodox jurisdictions allow up to two additional marriages, and sometimes a third (strongly discouraged).
  • No annulment: If first marriage is valid, divorce and remarriage is generally still allowed in Orthodoxy.
  • This causes problems in mixed marriages; Catholics cannot recognize Orthodox “church divorces.”
• Quote:
  “Multiple marriages are possible... There is no annulment process. Rather... they’ll likely grant a divorce and bless the second marriage.” —William Albrecht (29:29)
• Timestamp: 29:09–33:21

8. Why Not Call a Joint Catholic-Orthodox Ecumenical Council for Unity?

• Caller: Dan (Illinois)
• Question: Why can’t both Churches simply convene a council and pray for unity like at Pentecost?
• Key Points:
  • Orthodoxy is internally fractured: Russian, Greek, Ukrainian, old calendar/new calendar, jurisdictional disputes.
  • No central Orthodox authority means “which Orthodoxy” would attend?
  • Popes have made major overtures toward unity, but much prayer and dialogue is needed.
• Quote:
  “Orthodoxy is greatly fractured. If anybody ever tells you, well, Orthodoxy is the truth over Catholicism, which flavor of it? There are many different fractured groups.” —William Albrecht (36:30)
• Timestamp: 33:32–36:58

9. Current Orthodox Involvement in Catholic Councils (esp. Vatican I and II)

• Host’s Question: Did the Orthodox participate?
• Key Points:
  • Relations were much worse then; now, much improved with regular dialogue and plans to meet (e.g., anniversary of Nicaea).
• Quote:
  “Do I think unity is possible? I do. I really do think it is.” —William Albrecht (37:18)
• Timestamp: 37:18–38:30

10. Can Catholics Receive Communion in an Orthodox Church?

• Caller: Nick (CA)
• Question: As a Catholic, may I take communion at an Orthodox Church?
• Key Points:
  • Only where there is no Catholic church available and under strict necessity; otherwise, not permitted.
  • Most Orthodox priests will refuse communion to Catholics.
• Quote:
  “Ordinarily, you're going to want to take communion at a Catholic church... Unless there is no possible way... you are allowed [by Catholic law]... [but] usually if they know you're Catholic, they're not going to give you communion.” —William Albrecht (40:51)
• Timestamp: 40:41–42:27

11. Does Belief or Disbelief in the Papacy Affect Salvation?

• Caller: Derek (IN)
• Question: Would belief or disbelief in the Pope affect my salvation?
• Key Points:
  • Yes: rejecting the papacy is rejecting a divinely instituted truth and visible structure of the Church.
  • However, salvation is always by God’s grace, even for non-Catholics, but the Catholic Church is “necessary for salvation” in the normative sense.
• Quote:
  “If you effectively reject anything that the Catholic Church teaches, it definitely does matter... That is in the Bible itself.” —William Albrecht (42:49)
• Timestamp: 42:49–44:14

12. Essence-Energies Distinction vs. Divine Simplicity

• Caller: Jonathan (Baltimore, MD)
• Question: Is the Orthodox distinction (in Palamite theology) really a big divide? Is it “church-breaking”?
• Key Points:
  • The “ortho bro” online community exaggerates its importance and is not representative.
  • Catholicism can accept a form of the distinction, so long as it squares with divine simplicity—no “real” division in God.
  • Not a church-breaking doctrine; major Orthodox theologians agree.
• Quote:
  “Don’t break your head on it. It should not bother you much. This is not a church breaking issue.” —William Albrecht (48:54)
• Timestamp: 46:08–49:06

13. Armenian Apostolic Church History

• Caller: Daniel (Fresno, CA)
• Question: What’s the status and history of the Armenian Church?
• Key Points:
  • The break occurred after Chalcedon (c. 400s), often due to non-theological factors.
  • There were reunion attempts; many Armenian Catholics are now in full communion with Rome as one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches.
• Quote:
  “Today... yes, [the Armenian Catholic Church] remains in full communion with... Catholicism. There are many Armenian Catholics, and that is a beautiful thing.” —William Albrecht (50:37)
• Timestamp: 50:37–52:02

14. Patriarchs, Bishops, and Infallibility (Catholic vs. Orthodox Approaches)

• Caller: Alfredo (CA)
• Question: Are there similarities in how Catholics and Orthodox respond to leaders’ errors?
• Key Points:
  • Orthodox sometimes cite “no infallibility” to disregard leaders’ errors, but confusion about infallibility is common.
  • Catholic doctrine: only specific conditions make papal teachings infallible; not all statements are.
• Quote:
  “Not every single thing that comes out of the Pope’s mouth is infallible... a lot of the times the Pope is speaking his own opinion.” —William Albrecht (53:11)
• Timestamp: 53:11–54:26

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God would never lead us into less of what He gave the early Church.” —William Albrecht (17:06)
• “If anybody ever tells you, well, Orthodoxy is the truth over Catholicism, which flavor of it? There are many different fractured groups.” —William Albrecht (36:30)
• “Don’t break your head on it. It should not bother you much. This is not a church breaking issue.” —William Albrecht (48:54)

Tone and Style Notes

• Tone: Charitable, informative, apologetic, pastoral.
• Style: Conversational, but rich with historical/theological references and book recommendations.
• Approach: Strong emphasis on early church continuity and the need for unity under the papacy; willingness to praise the beauty in Orthodoxy; repeatedly directs listeners to reliable sources and away from online polemics.

Resources and Recommendations

• Books:
  • Pope Peter by Joe Heschmeyer (on biblical and historical foundations for the papacy)
  • The Papacy by Dr. Lakutis (on Catholic-Orthodox disputes)
  • The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin (for primary sources from the Early Church)
• Advice:
  • Focus study on the actual claims of early fathers and ecumenical councils.
  • Be wary of online personalities not endorsed by their own ecclesial communities.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Orthodox Baptism & Triple Immersion: 01:42–02:35
• Resources for Engaging Orthodox Apologetics: 03:42–09:07
• Historical Genesis of Schism: 11:25–15:26
• Conversions and Guidance on Discerning Catholic/Orthodox: 16:03–20:21
• Papacy in Acts 15 and Greek Fathers: 20:54–23:55
• Filioque in East-West Liturgy: 25:00–25:53
• Orthodox Multiple Marriages and Catholic Annulment: 29:09–33:21
• Barriers to a Joint Church Council: 33:32–36:58
• Current State of Dialogue: 37:18–38:30
• Communion at Orthodox Liturgies: 40:41–42:27
• Papacy, Doctrine, and Salvation: 42:49–44:14
• Essence-Energies Distinction: 46:08–49:06
• Armenian Apostolic Church: 50:37–52:02
• Infallibility and Leadership: 53:11–54:26

Conclusion

An instructive, wide-ranging episode on the complex, often fraught relationship between Catholicism and Orthodoxy—especially regarding marriage, the papacy, ecclesiology, and theological subtleties. Listeners walk away informed about both the patterns of division and the ongoing potential for unity, as well as the concrete, lived implications for Catholics interacting with Orthodox Christians.

End of Summary