www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West East / West unity (how likely within 10 years)

This is something that's dear to my heart and something that I'd love to see before I end my time here on earth. I'm 33 and I'm optimistic that there WILL be unity.
During the recent visit to Rome, Patriarch Bartholomew's statement indicated that they are moving closer to unity.
I guess the next question is "Where do we go from here".. The Pope apologized for the sack of Constantinople... Bartholomew accepted.
Do you think that there is Ecumenical dialogue going on as we speak ?
What are your thoughts and do you really really think we will see unity ?

Dominus vobiscum

I always find it interesting when the Pope apologizes for things that no pope was ever responsible for. He surely seems to feel guilty about a lot of things. I think unity would be wonderful, but I see a few problems with it. A significant problem is that the EP doesn't really speak for Orthodoxy. Although his office is historically significant, he has few followers. It's more important what the MP thinks, since he represents the largest part of the Orthodox Church. It also seems to me that the East could make a very good case that the Pope needs to set his own house in order before unity can take place. Why would the Orthodox want to be part of a church where many of the faithful and the hierarchy are essentially in dissent from the teachings of the Church? In one sense the East has been blessed by not having a pope. No one individual has had the authority to tamper with Liturgy and the traditions handed down from the fathers. In the West, many popes have tinkered with the Liturgy. There is so much power vested in that office that popes consider themselves above tradition and not bound by it. Would the East ever be comfortable with that?

Forgive my ignorance but who is the "MP" ?

Dominus vobiscum

this is my first post on the site (very long time reader)...but I felt that I could comfortably answer this question despite my comparatably lacking knowledge of the Eastern churches! I believe that the "MP" is the Moscow Patriarch, or the Patriarch of Moscow. The Russian Orthodox church is the largest church in Orthodoxy, therefore he has a lot of clout when it comes to matters like this if there is ever to be unity in the Christian churches.

Stephen

Welcome christiansteve. You are right about the MP.

Et cum spiritu tuo, Intrigued Latin.

How likely is East/West unity in the next decade? My opinion is slim to none. This is a schism that's lasted for almost 1,000 years...as much as we all want it, I don't think we'll see the end to this any time soon. Maybe, if we're lucky, I would guess it could happen within the next century or two. It's really up to God, and I think some progress is being made (or has been made).

Logos Teen

I would have to agree with TIL. It really does seem like it may be at least 100 years. Though, to think of it, the rate that it has been moving already is rather amazing. I mean, it is really lightening speed. For something that usually takes a REALLY long time the talks are progressing rather amazingly if you ask me. I mean, just look at the OO and EO they have almost come back together, and that is a great start. But 10 years? Unlikely in my opinion.
Now if we can just get the rest of us back on the boat....

Stephen

Intrigued Latin wrote Not in my lifetime. I am 67. Possibly in 100 years or so or when E/W comes to a place where we all hang together or separately.

I am thinking what a blessing it would be. Ps. 133 says it all.

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together
in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on
the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's
beard,
down upon the collar of his
robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion,
For there the Lord bestows his
blessing.
even life forevermore.

If the Patrearchs and Metropolitans and the Cardinals love Christ then we will reunite by 2033 for the 2000th birthday of the Church.

I wouldnt quite go this far but yes the schism is a sin on both sides. A union must be a union of substance. Unity for unitys sake is a false union. There needs to be a oneness in Faith for a true union to take place. Both side have to agree on serious dogmatic issues.
JoeS

//If the Patrearchs and Metropolitans and the Cardinals love Christ then we will reunite by 2033 for the 2000th birthday of the Church.//

I am certainly hoping that there will be a reunion within my lifetime, it is something I greatly anticipate and pray for. Though, we must be very honest about this whole thing. Many obsticals still remain in the way of communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, despite the great progress that has been made. First you have to hash out different views of the ecclesiologies within each church (ie role of the papacy vs the universal and local episcopate-juisdiction/infallibility), then you have to reconcile concepts of the sacraments (ie: marriages after divorces within the Orthodox Church as well as a few other differences), and then you have to filter out old animosity which has stained generations of Christians. There is still much before us, we just have to keep working on it.