Dear brother Neil,
Both John and David make valid points and I have no disagreement with either. I would note, however, that as regards the EP (and the MP and other EO and OO Patriarchates, for that matter), any issue between them and their Church's jurisdictions in the diaspora is still within the confines of the single Church that is involved.
In the case of the EC and OC, the Pope - formerly also the Patriarch of the West, though HH has declared that he will no longer use that title - is acting with regard to the jurisdictions and incumbents of Churches, albeit Catholic ones, other than his own Latin Church. And, there is the point of difference. The EP and others are acting as regards jurisdictions and hierarchs who are of their own patriarchate.
MS,
I'm working on a more detailed reply to the specific question ('Why?') that you asked of me before the forum went on vacation. Should post it tonight.
I'm not sure how to view the comments on this particular matter. If what is being expressed is
concern for the sake of good Church order in local territories, then I can agree. But if what is being expresed is
criticism of the Pope, then I definitely don't agree. I see it a bit differently. The prerogative to supply a bishop of a patricular Tradition in the traditional territory of a bishop of another particular Tradition belongs to the Supreme authority - either the Ecumenical Council or the Pope.
So it's
not the case that the Patriarch of the Latins is involved in the selection of Eastern and Oriental bishops in his Traditional territory, whereas Eastern and Oriental Patriarchs are not involved in the selection of Latin bishops in their own Traditional territory. It is simply that it is not within the natural historic competence of Patriarchs to be able to supply a bishop of a
different Tradition in his own territory. As stated, only the supreme authority of the Church is competent (i.e., has the prerogative) to do this. That the Patriarch of the Latins is at once the Pope as well is of corollary importance.
The fact is, there is no model for this exigency (the idea of "ritual jurisdiction" within territorial jurisdiction) in the early Church, but it is a reality that has developed in the Catholic Communion (and to a lesser extent in the Oriental Orthodox Communion).
Of course, this can change. And I think this is what the Middle Eastern bishops have expressed during the recent Synod.
Blessings,
Marduk
