0 members (),
546
guests, and
84
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,511
Posts417,528
Members6,161
|
Most Online3,380 Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,765 Likes: 30
John Member
|
John Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,765 Likes: 30 |
Mor Ephrem wrote: But what will Rome accept as a redefinition of this role?
This question cuts to the heart of the discussion.
Mor Ephrem wrote: Certainly it won't buckle on an "infallible" dogmatic pronouncement of one of its "ecumenical" councils. But that very pronouncement is one of the first things that would need to go, I would think, from the Orthodox perspective.
There is no official declaration by anyone in the Roman Catholic Church that the latter fourteen councils are ecumenical in the same sense as the Seven Ecumenical Councils. In fact, Pope Paul VI is on record as putting them into a different category. It is true that many Latin-centered theologians consider them to be ecumenical.
It is my guess that Rome will not cede the right to universal jurisdiction and infallibility, as there is plenty of historical and Scriptural evidence supporting the nature of these. What is on the table, I think, is the structure of governance in the Church. Rome would probably cede �daily management� of the various Churches in favor of the model of governance in the early Church while keeping the right to intervene for any reason (as it had in the early Church). Despite the many relational issues between Rome and the Eastern Catholic Churches we are much more self-governing today than we were even ten years ago. If, over the next generation, we can attain a model that would be acceptable to the rest of Orthodoxy it will be a solid step forward towards the restoration of full communion.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698 |
Originally posted by Administrator: In 1995 the bishops of the Melkite patriarchate issued a two part official declaration professing everything which Eastern Orthodoxy teaches and acknowledged the �Bishop of Rome as the first among the bishops, according to the limits recognized by the Holy Fathers of the East during the first millennium, before the separation�. Rome�s response to this initiative was to remind the Melkite bishops that they should work together with Rome to further the cause of unity. The Zoghby Initiative (as it is called) is still an official declaration of the Melkite Church.
There are also parts of the Eastern Canons that the Melkite Patriarchate has stated are not acceptable and will not be binding upon the Melkite Church. Dear Administrator, Thanks for this, I'm glad to hear it, but it does raise questions. 1. What canons does the Melkite Patriarchate say are not acceptable and binding on the Melkite Church? 2. If the Zoghby Initiative says what you say it says and still stands today, then how does the Melkite Church reconcile the papal office according to its first millenium limits with Vatican I, which I think I read the Melkite Patriarch at the time signed? 3. The Zoghby Initiative, from what you've told me about it here, professes believe in the "Bishop of Rome as the first among the bishops, according to the limits recognized by the Holy Fathers of the East during the first millennium, before the separation". But that, from all I can tell, is how the Orthodox Church would also recognise the role of the Bishop of Rome. What are we to make of the response you cite from Rome? "Rome�s response to this initiative was to remind the Melkite bishops that they should work together with Rome to further the cause of unity." What does that even mean? How would the Melkite bishops not be "working together with Rome" in this instance? The only conclusion I can come to is that the way they may not have been working together with Rome is by seeming to ignore (or even call into question) the post-schism developments in the Catholic understanding of the papacy, including Vatican I. Furthermore, if Vatican I's papal infallibility is as the Roman Catholics say it is, and is only a formal definition of something that has always been believed by the Church, then why wouldn't the testimony of the "Holy Fathers of the East during the first millennium, before the separation" not be enough for Rome, since theoretically these should witness to belief in papal infallibility?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,268
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,268 |
Dear Mor Ephrem: Believing that there is yet no alternative form of governance in a "unified" Church that can replace the Papal system, the Patriarchal system of the East should, for the time being, be complementary (or augmentative) to that of the Papal system of the West. Responding to my post, above, you asked: Why do you see things this way? I am not sure I can agree with you here. Assessing the present situation in Eastern Orthodoxy, especially the Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, I am concluding, perhaps wrongly, that the Patriarchal system of Church governance, by its nature(?), is fractional and factional and invariably leads to "truncated" jurisdictions. AmdG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698 |
There is no official declaration by anyone in the Roman Catholic Church that the latter fourteen councils are ecumenical in the same sense as the Seven Ecumenical Councils. In fact, Pope Paul VI is on record as putting them into a different category. It is true that many Latin-centered theologians consider them to be ecumenical.
But my copy of the Vatican II documents has Vatican II call itself the "Second Vatican Ecumenical Council", if I am not mistaken.
It is my guess that Rome will not cede the right to universal jurisdiction and infallibility, as there is plenty of historical and Scriptural evidence supporting the nature of these.
My studying of the issue has led me to conclude otherwise. There is support for Petrine primacy, but not for infallibility and jurisdiction as currently defined; at least I have never read anything convincing me of the truth of the Roman Catholic position.
What is on the table, I think, is the structure of governance in the Church. Rome would probably cede �daily management� of the various Churches in favor of the model of governance in the early Church while keeping the right to intervene for any reason (as it had in the early Church).
Did Rome have the right to intervene on its own, or did it have the right to intervene upon request?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678 Likes: 1
Member
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678 Likes: 1 |
What I do know is that I can't recall reading anywhere that Vatican I and its decrees applied only to the West. As far as I can tell, it applies to all. Mor, I said the same thing about a week ago and was pegged for seeing things in "black and white" and was called ignorant due to my chronological limitations (read: young age). But my copy of the Vatican II documents has Vatican II call itself the "Second Vatican Ecumenical Council", if I am not mistaken. Personally, I believe that the last 14 councils are indeed ecumenical, but what do I know? I'm just an ignorant kid tainted with latinizations apparently. There is support for Petrine primacy, but not for infallibility and jurisdiction as currently defined; I think the thing that so many people are ignoring/forgetting is that there is a development of the doctrines and dogmas surrounding the Petrine Ministry. We are continually being led into deeper Truths about it. I think this is part of the problem with returning to how the pre-Schism Church viewed the Papacy; more has been revealed to us since then. It's like stepping back 1,000 years, which in some cases is very helpful, but in other cases can be quite hurtful. I interpreted that to mean that Particular Eastern Catholic Churches have no place else to turn for a freer expression of their rights than to . . .Orthodoxy. Alex, didn't you know?! Eastern Catholicism is already part of the Orthodox Faith, as is Western Catholicism. But the problems Rome is currently experiencing in Russia has to do with its inability to transcend the self-imposed limitations of its own jurisdictional closet and ecclesiology. The problem is the Russian Orthodox Church egregiously attacking the Catholic Church for supposedly "proselytizing." Maybe ROC should check up on the Protestants in Russie before it attacks its Apostolic brethren. ChristTeen287
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698 |
Originally posted by Amado Guerrero: Assessing the present situation in Eastern Orthodoxy, especially the Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, I am concluding, perhaps wrongly, that the Patriarchal system of Church governance, by its nature(?), is fractional and factional and invariably leads to "truncated" jurisdictions.
One could also see the fruit of the Papal system of Church governance and see quite a few things wrong with it. I don't think the Patriarchal system of Orthodoxy is as you say it is. It certainly can be, if it is abused. So, too, could the Papacy. Oriental Orthodoxy uses the same Patriarchal system Eastern Orthodoxy uses, and is getting along fine. True, we have problems -- for example in India -- but 1) I think that is *the major problem* these days, and 2) is not as bad as it looks (to my knowledge, both factions are still in communion with every other OO Church, except that the IOC is not in communion with Antioch, and our problems with Antioch are based on the Antiochene Patriarchs' developing a more Roman Catholic view of their office and its limits and powers). Overall, I would dare to say that the Oriental Orthodox communion is a better example of how the Patriarchal system can work than the Eastern Orthodox. Of course, the Catholic Church is the only one that can show to us an example of how the Papal system works, and that system has its own set of problems.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698 |
I said the same thing about a week ago and was pegged for seeing things in "black and white" and was called ignorant due to my chronological limitations (read: young age). Don't worry about it, CT287. I don't think any of us are as old as Vatican I anyway.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,268
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,268 |
Dear Mor Ephrem: You asked of the Administrator: Did Rome have the right to intervene on its own, or did it have the right to intervene upon request? This might provide a glimpse at how Rome exercises her "right of intervention." When the USCCB presented its "Dallas Policy" to the Vatican for a "recognitio," Rome initially withheld its approval and then required this national Episcopal Conference the "revision" or "amendment" of certain provisions of the policy which were not in accord with the "universal" policy on the matter. The USCCB "deferred" to Rome's instructions (some say obeyed) and, after revising or amending the "offending" provisions, the "Dallas Policy" was granted by the Vatican the required "recognitio." AmdG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192
Member
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192 |
May I just say that this is a wonderful thread!
The question of this issue comes down to who has the right to define what it means to be an Eastern Catholic. Rome or our own Patriarchs? Increasingly our leadership is saying our Byzantine heirarchies are the one's who reserve the right to interpret dogma for their membership.
What is dogma for the Roman Catholic is not dogma for Eastern Catholics.
To be Catholic you do not need "unity" of belief.
You can disagree with dogmas such as Vatican 1 and still remain an Eastern Catholic. There are examples of disagreements with dogmas for centuries in the Catholic Church.
To be Orthodox means you except all the dogmas of Orthodoxy. Accepting anything less means you are outside Orthodoxy (Correct me if I am wrong). To be Eastern Catholic is a continual march and definement of our own Byzantine Orthodoxy and heritage.
Steven
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192
Member
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192 |
Dear Alex, If Ukrainian Unity did happen I would immediately nominate Archbishop Vsevolod as Metropolitan of Central and South America  . Steven
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 268
Member
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 268 |
Originally posted by lpreima: Dear Alex, As I had said before, There's a certain order (you know which one)that will only commemorate Kyr Lubomyr as Patriarch only if Rome tells them to. This order is pretty strong down here, about 80 to 85% of our priests belong to this order and they are the ones that deal the cards. I'm not sure of how things are around the world, but it seems that the United States is leading in respect to commemorating Kyr Lubomyr as Patriarch, at least the bishops are wearing Kobluks (Kyr Losten, Kyr Moskal and Kyr Soroka)I don't know about the others. What's the situation like in Canada? Because I think Brazil will be the last country to commemorate Kyr Lubomyr as Patriarch. I think that I've asked for this before but I really would like to have numbers so that I could back up my arguments when speaking with certain people down here. Any comments or statistics around? Lauro Lauro- It is my understanding from the bishops of our church whom I have personally spoken to, was that all of the Bishops in our church, WORLDWIDE, agreed to establish the patriarchate for our church at the Holy Synod of Kyiv in July, 2002. All of the bishops have agreed to commemorate Patriarch Lubomyr as "Patriarch" in their respective Cathedrals. By extension, this should also apply to any parish in the juridsiction of the local Church. There should be no reason for your priests to refuse the title in Liturgy, other than the fact that they belong to the Basilian Rite of the Catholic Church! I would ask your bishop point blank, in a cordial manner of course, if he was a part of the UNANIMOUS decision of the Church, why "patriarch" is not commemorated at least in the Cathedral parish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If anyone is suprised by the Moscow Patriachate's KGB ming games and manipulations, well . . . then, I am suprised at their suprise! You can' t blame a dog for being a dog. The question is, will Rome cater to the whiny panter of the Muscovites in their quest for imperial power, or will they show true pastoral care for the Church of martyrs who gave all for their Catholicity at the hands of the evil Russian empire and its Church? The Russian Church has no business calling the shots in Ukraine. They can have all the "canonical" authority from world Orthodoxy they want, whatever that is worth. But they will NEVER have the MORAL AUTHORITY to be the ecclesial head of the Ukrainian Church. Such structures can only stand in a world of injustice. I, for one, will not take part in that injustice. I agree with the sentiments conveyed here that Pope John Paul II should elevate Lubomyr, canonically, to Patriarch. Who knows who the next Pope will be. This should be the top priority of our dealings inside the Vatican Bureacracy before the Pope passes to his eternal rest. Alex
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192
Member
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 192 |
Dear ALity,
words to pray with and commerate Patriarchs by.
Steven
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,716
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,716 |
Originally posted by Steven:
You can disagree with dogmas such as Vatican 1 and still remain an Eastern Catholic. There are examples of disagreements with dogmas for centuries in the Catholic Church.
To be Orthodox means you except all the dogmas of Orthodoxy. Accepting anything less means you are outside Orthodoxy (Correct me if I am wrong). To be Eastern Catholic is a continual march and definement of our own Byzantine Orthodoxy and heritage.
Steven I don't think this is really true. The Eastern Catholic Patriarchs at the time HAD to accept the Dogma of Infallibility as Revealed Truth with no freedom to "dissent". Look at the experience of the Melkite Patriarch at the time who had reservations about this and was humiliated by the Pope and the Curia. It was expected that all Catholics, Roman and Eastern, had to accept this, different emphasis placed on it or not. In Orthodoxy, one does have to accept the decisions of the 7 Ecumenical Councils. But otherwise, Orthodoxy does not tend to define dogmas in the Juridical sense and always emphasizes that it must be done in COuncil not by the act of one Hierarch in the Church. Peace, Brian in Sacramento
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,698 |
Originally posted by Steven: What is dogma for the Roman Catholic is not dogma for Eastern Catholics.
To be Catholic you do not need "unity" of belief. WHAT?? Someone please explain that one to me, please...
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,941
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,941 |
Mor Ephrem writes: Eastern Catholic canons, as referred to by Orthoman once upon a time, always seem to reserve all of the rights of the Roman Pontiff "over" the other Churches, even if he doesn't necessarily choose to exercise them all the time. Can anyone point to anything that assures this kind of privilege to other Patriarchs? Precedent. The EP has acted at various times in history with breathtaking authority "over" other Churches. The EP has apppointed Partriarchs in other Churches, and has even dissolved Patriarchates.
|
|
|
|
|