www.byzcath.org

My Rusyn is a little bit 'rusty'. Perhaps someone can translate it. From my limited understanding, Constantinople Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew is urging Greek Catholics to remain in Communion with Rome. He further states that he would like to see the Greek Catholics become a 'bridge' between Rome and Constantinople so that pre-Schism Christian unity could be returned.

http://www.risu.org.ua/ukr/news/article;22740/

Here is a quick, rough translation into English from the Ukrainian. I'm not inclined to believe this report - it's either a hoax or someone has not understood the Patriarch of Constantinople correctly. This is the man who demanded a "Final Solution" to the Unia in the year 2,000, and who called our Churches "artificial Churches" when he spoke in Warsaw - not to mention his amazing address to Pope John Paul II after the promulgation of Orientale Lumen.

Fr. Serge

Patriarch Bartholomew Supports the Idea of �Double Unity�
of the Eastern Catholic Churches

17 June 2008 � In his recent interview with the ecumenical journal �Cyril and Methodius� the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew touched on the question of the existence of the Eastern Catholic Churches. He invited these Churches, while remaining in union with Rome, to become Orthodox again. In particular he said that �the Constantinopolitan Mother Church always keeps the doors open for her sons and daughters.� In the words of the Orthodox First Hierarch, the model of unity can be the form of coexistence which was in place between the Byzantine and Roman Curches during the first millennium of Christianity, KATH.net stated on 16 June.
At the same time, the Patriarch expressed himself favorably concerning the idea of �double unity� which was proposed by the Chief Hierarch of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church Major Archbishop Lubomyr (Husar). The Head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate explained that such a model would lead to the settlement of the division between the Churches. In the words of the Patriarch, Church unity is not �the result of the administrators of the Churches nor of theological fantasies�. �It is necessary to have more common efforts with the participation of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities, common projects, so as to know one another better. It is necessary to pray much, very much.� Patriarch Bartholomew said that important steps on the road to unity have already been taken. �The mutual anathemas of 1054 between the Churches have been lifted. The theological dialogue of the Orthodox Church with Anglicans, Lutherans, and Reformed is going ahead without interruption. After a pause of several years this dialogue is again renewed�.

This is the link with the English translation: http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;22800/

Darn. I opened another thread on this. Guess it needs closing.

Thanks Fr Serge for the excellent translation. As part of the Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine-Rus Cellebrations in July 1988 about 100 young UGCC members travelled from Rome (where 15,000 UGCC members were congregating) to Istanbul to meet with Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. During their private audience he expressed a desire for Christian unity and indicated that the Greek Catholics would play a pivotal role in bridging the two branches of the church. Next month marks the 20th anniversary of that visit. I will try to post a picture on this site.

I.F.

Well, if this report is to be believed His Holiness seems to support the concept behind the Zoghby initiative.

Patriarch of Constantinople Proposes Eastern Catholicism�s Return to Orthodoxy
19.06.2008, [12:10] // Inter-Christian relations //

Munich�In a recent interview with the German ecumenical journal Cyril and Methodius, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Constantinople Bartholomew I invited Eastern Catholic Churches to return to Orthodoxy without breaking unity with Rome. He noted that �the Constantinople Mother-Church keeps the door open for all its sons and daughters.� According to the Orthodox hierarch, the form of coexistence of the Byzantine Church and the Roman Church in the 1st century of Christianity should be used as a model of unity. This story was posted by KATH.net on 16 June 2008.

At the same time, the patriarch made positive remarks about the idea of �dual unity� proposed by the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Lubomyr (Husar). Patriarch Bartholomew I noted in particular that this model would help to overcome the schism between the Churches.

http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;22800/

Re: Patriarch of Constantinople and Patriarch Lubomyr Husar

Thank you Father Anthony!

I question whether His Holiness might not have a touch of dementia.

Alexandr

How about a trade? We'll give you Patriarch Bartholomew and an undisclosed draft pick for Cardinal Trujillo!

Alexandr

These reports don't quite pass the "smell test". Too many unresolved issues! Back around 1998, Patriarch Bartholomew stated that Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy were "ontologically different". Is the latest report Disinformation/Misinformation? Or, maybe Bartholomew has seen the light,and wants to be "uniate"?

Dn. Robert

Lets hope so. There are nasty rumblings in the Orthodox world. And not only laity.


Alexandr

In all fairness, Alexandr responded to my initial unedited posting which raised the question of "misinformation/disinformation". I added the rest, by edit, while he was responding.

Dn. Robert

Thank you Deacon Robert. But in all honesty, my comments stand. Perhaps it would be better for all concerned if His Holiness became Catholic. Most of the Orthodox world would breathe easier. I know Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus would.

Alexandr

He studied in Rome! A closet "papist"? Don't take my remarks as being "hostile". I see a lot of value in Eastern Orthodoxy, especially in ROCOR!

Dn. Robert

P.S.

I still think that there is some kind of misinformation in the report. It does not line up with past remarks of the Patriarch.