www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West unity of Catholic and Orthodox Churches is urgent

doctrinally, we may be generations away from comming to mutual understanding, but until then, with the growth of militant Islam, protestantism, secularization, relativism, atheism, there could be more joint proclamations between the sister Churches which hold almost all the same beliefs.

It was a great event when this time last year the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI (St. Peter's successor) and His holiness Patriarch Bartholomew (St. Andrew's successor) embraced each other as brothers in true catholic and orthodox christian faith.

I agree with you that this is a critical crossroads and East and West working together would be so very beneficial.

I'm just not sure if mainstream Roman Catholicism has moved too far away from it's Traditions. Clearly Cardinal Mahoney and his group are an example of being way out at the extreme. How does an example like this help the situation?

Monomakh

Isn't there an icon of St. Peter and St. Andrew enbracing?
If so it would be nice if someone could add it here.

[Linked Image]

Monomakh,

Since any true unity will be unity in Christ, the key will not be so much to return to "traditions," but to return to Him.

The big problem is that since the Church is both a divine institution and a human one, vigilance will always be necessary to distinguish between that which is truly divine in tradtion (i.e. the part with the capital "T") and that which is of human origin. It is only by way of true holiness and spiritual discernment that this can be known.

Embracing each other as brothers in Christ is one important step in this process. When we each see the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in the other's tradition, it will enable us to understand our own tradition as well.


Peace,
Deacon Richard

Peace and God bless.

Let us not be too hasty in reuniting. I don't see reunification as urgent, but I do see cooperation as essential.

Joe

Joe,

I don't think we need to worry about a hasty and ill-conceived reunion, such as happened at Florence. For one thing, there's no imperial mandate, but more importantly, there are enough people on both sides who know it wouldn't work.

Cooperation and mutual respect are indeed essential. At some point, both sides will have to formally renounce the axiom, "we're the True Church, you're the schismatics!" but before that happens there will have to be a lot more real cooperation.


Peace,
Deacon Richard

In my opinion there is a lot of work to especially in applying Vatican II principles: Eastern catholic must be concerned in preserving (or recovering) its identity. Commonly misunderstood by many latins, I think there would be much benefit in actions inspired in Orientale Lumen & Ut unum sint.

With Love in Christ

Hieromonk Diego, Argentina

I think the point is whether we look for a jurisdictional union or simply for inter-Communion

Because the Church is built on the Eucharist, I think that the first important step in the possibility of inter-Communion, and the second is the participation of bishops of both the Churches in a bishop-ordination.
Only later there could be a jurisdictional union, that requests the difficult agreement on the ministry of the pope.

I know that the EO consider the inter-Communion as the last step, but this is a point to be further discussed.

It is stupid to think that invasion of aliens, islam or Third World War can unite separated brothers with Orthodoxy.Only Truth and Love.

I simply don't see unity with Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox as that urgent or even desirable at the moment. I think there must be a full acceptance of the fullness of revealed truth in order to have true unity, I believe even Pope John Paul II said that. I don't see that happening any time soon.

I must respectfully disagree, Mateusz, to your framing of this topic to the exclusion of Protestant Christians. Any proper ecumenical efforts by the Catholic Church should, by definition, be pursued with all Christians to the extent possible. Lumping Protestants in with militant Muslims and secularists would not appear to do justice to the common baptism in Christ that we share.

Best to all,
Robster

:::applause::: Well said!

-- John

Robster,

I think we need to distinguish between unity as a status and unity (or unification) as a process. The "urgent" aspect of unity, at this point in history, is precisely for this process to continue and intensify. I think that's what our brother Mateusz means by "urgent."

Most of us are agreed on this forum that even if some joint commission were to come out in, say, five years and announce that all theological issues had been resolved (LOL), it would not be automatically followed up by a declaration of union--and even if it were, the people wouldn't automatically buy into it.

The issues that divide us exist on many levels, and that is where they need to be addressed. If the processes to address these issues can operate in parallel, that should benefit everbody.

Amen!


Peace,
Deacon Richard

Dear Friends,

Well, how about if we finally get over the feeling that we have to have full communion and unity of faith BEFORE we can work together to witness to Christ in a world that needs Him (and that is actually willing to go against Him).

When Constantinople was threatened by the Turks, the Catholic West refused to support that Orthodox city unless the "schismatics repented and came home to Rome."

I have Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants in my religion class and we tallk about all sorts of things so that you'd think we were all one Church.

And some of the Protestants can pray miracles too . .

Alex

Dear Robster,

Well, if the RC Church believes that the dogmatic additions that it has developed since 1054 are the fullness of doctrine that the East must submit to - then we will NEVER have unity.

The question is: on the basis of what Rome and the Orthodox Churches of the East already share in terms of faith (and which characterized their unity in the first 1,000 years) - is not full unity possible/achievable right now within the context of a Unity Council, if such were called next week?

Alex