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http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;7064/

UOC-MP Orthodox Archbishop Warns of �Catholic Temptation�

01.09.2005, [00:32] // UOC-MP //

Kyiv � Archbishop Auhustyn (Markevych) of Lviv and Halych, head of the
Synodal Theological Committee of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow
Patriarchate (UOC-MP), commenting on the 21 August move of residence of the
head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) to Kyiv, noted that �the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church perceives it as a continuation of proselytism of
the Catholic Church in Ukraine... Orthodox clergymen will have to warn
their faithful against possible temptation on the part of Catholics,� he
added. pravolavye.org.ua posted the news on 26 August 2005.

�Such actions� bring discredit to the ability of the Catholic Church to
conduct a constructive dialogue with the Orthodox Church on issues
containing conflicts and all kinds of discrepancies, and the dogmatic one
in particular,� emphasized Archbishop Auhustyn.

According to the archbishop, proselytism of Catholics among the Orthodox
population of Ukraine caused a discontinuation of bilateral dialogue and
any contacts of the Moscow Patriarchate with the Vatican. Later, it broke
off the theological dialogue with the Catholic Church on the general
Orthodox level.

Archbishop Auhustyn mentioned that the UGCC has not officially received the
status of patriarchate yet, �therefore its decision is illegal even
according to Catholic law. Nevertheless, it was not condemned by the
officially higher power.�

�If the UGCC does not turn back from its intentions, the UOC[-MP] will
consider the actions of the Catholic Church as an attempt to convert the
Orthodox to its faith, which publicly testifies to the fact that Catholics
do not recognize the grace-filled nature of the Orthodox Church and its
saving mission in the world. In this case, Orthodox clergymen will have to
warn their faithful against possible temptation on the part of Catholics,
giving a proper assessment of Catholic dogmas and practice from the
positions of Orthodox theology,� said Archbishop Auhustyn.

Source:
� http://pravoslavye.org.ua/index.php?r_type=news&action=fullinfo&id=8263

As an Orthodox and clergyman, It seems to me that this is contradictory. In the past both sides have been actively proseletyzing each others members. I do not see the reason why people should be shocked at this.

All I can see by posting something like this is to inflame different posters into their different camps. Instead of cooperation, the different sides seem to be fighting for each others members, instead of going after the millions that are unchurched or unbaptized. When I see an active statement concerning that, then it may be truly a piece of "Church News". In the meantime, let us pray that the Lord would redirect these hierarchs, clergy, and faithful to live and teach the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Shlomo Abun (Fr.) Anthony,

I totally agree. In Lebanon we have an agreement between all the Churches for intercommunion. Therefore, any non-Protestant Christian can go to each other Churches and receive communion.

Orthodoxy will decline if they do not open up and realize that the threat to them is not Catholicism, but Protestantism and the psuedo-Protestants like the Mormons.

Poosh BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Well, Father, don't you know that all the athiests, unbaptized and unchurched who live in eastern Ukraine are automatically potential members of the UOC-MP by virtue of their location?

Dave

Argh - I really should not post on this - BUT

When is the MP going to wake up and realise that the danger is not from the UGCC or from the RCs - but from the rampant evangelisation being done by the very Evangelical Protestants , the JWs et al.

Anhelyna

I can think of lots of Catholic temptations, from eating meat on Friday to black patent leather shoes.

Incognitus

OOOOOOOOH Incognitus - the grey haired brown paper bag wearing ,Inquisitive Inquisitor

You are giving your age away
I never got that from the Ursulines in 1950-1958 :p Oh yes we got the draw an imaginary circle 3 feet in diameter with yourself in the centre, and never let your boyfriend get inside that :p

although how he was to cope with the next bit of the lecture I'll never know - "and his kiss should not last longer than 5 seconds " :p

What I wonder is why Rome doesn't stop this, since they aren't a patriarchate yet. Does anyone know why it isn't stopped?

Poor Rome, they can't win no matter what they do. As has been mentioned before, if Rome stepped in and halted the move then they would be accused of interfering with another church and treating them as a poor stepchild of Rome. But if Rome doesn't step in then they are accused of doing nothing and not exerting authority over a wayward child.

It appears that some Orthodox want it both ways so they don't have to deal with Rome in any realistic manner. Do they wish Rome to butt out and let the Eastern Catholic Churches rule themselves or do they want Rome to bully them into submission? Sorry guys, you can't have it both ways.

Please note that I said some Orthodox because I know that there are many Orthodox that are open and truly desire the restoration of Communion between the Churches.

Terry

Well, the Catholic Church is tempting. For good reason. Sucks for you, Moscow.

Logos Teen

Teen that last statement is very unbecoming!

Dear OLSL - I missed the part about the imaginary circle 3 feet in diameter. That could make kissing a bit more of a challenge.

Incognitus the Inquisitive Inquisitor

Okay, I'm sorry for the last statement...but when are they going to grow up?

It'd really be comical if it weren't so pathetic.

Logos Teen

Much better Teen - - thanks!

You know how moms are they never really thing their kids grow up.

I wonder how the Archbishop would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and someone asked him if the Russian Orthodox Church would "recognize the grace-filled nature of the Catholic Church and it's saving mission in the world"...? :rolleyes: