MOE: Question on the Trinity

[Father Joe]

HI Father Joe,

I have a question, I was wondering what difference i there between the
orthodoxy on the trinity and catholics on the trinity?

I was trying to find information on the web but got confused.

[Father Joe]

First, it has to be said that Catholic and Orthodox churches are
largely in agreement doctrinally.

Second, what might be said in a general way cannot be said about all
Orthodox churches because of the automomy that exists between
churches.

Third, historically the "Filioque clause' in the Creed is the area of
doctrinal divergence between East and West, although this is not the
case with all churches given varying interpretations of its meaning,
particularly in the East but also because of Western concessions
within ecumenical dialogue.

Fourth, the teaching of the Trinity concerns a great mystery and one
would be warned not to press too hard for intimate details given that
Eastern rite Catholic churches (with whom we are in full union) often
have a mind closer to the Oriental than to the Western. It is best to
remain with those points formally defined.

Having made all these qualifications, I can offer an answer upon which
others might make some objection. Based upon our interpretation of
the controversial clause added by the West to the Creed, the Catholic
Church has this understanding:

The First Person of the Trinity (the Father) eternally generates the
Second Person (the Word or the Son). Upon this the East and West
agree.

The Father and the Son generate from all eternity the Third Person of
the Trinity (the Holy Spirit). Here is the area of some dispute or
debate.

Putting it another way, the Father perfectly knows himself and thus
generates the Word or the Son. Again, this is okay for both the
Catholic and Orthodox churches, although the East would probably steer
away from an analogy. The Father and the Son love each other and this
love is infinite and personal, the Holy Spirit. Here is the problem.

The traditional Eastern model is that the Father generates both the
Son and the Holy Spirit from all eternity.