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Here's two hierarchs who mean business in BOSTON [thebostonpilot.com]!

The sound you hear is the exploding heads in the Russian Orthodox Church

"Full of sound and fury, and..." You know the rest.

Obviously Metropolitan Methodius has been returned from the "exlle" of his suspension.

Just a note of historical context - Cardinal O'Malley, is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Throughout the history of the unfortunate estrangement between East and West, the various branches of the Franciscan orders have always been much more conciliatory with the East, that, for example, the Dominicans. While this is a generalization, it is supported when you look at the historical evidence that Father Christiaan Kappes has revealed in his various articles and books.

At our little Ruthenian Catholic Church in Olean, New York, the reason that the parish did not go Orthodox at Toth's urging was the intercession of the Franciscan Friars at St. Bonaventure University under Father Joe Butler. Later in the 1930s, when the second schism took place, Father Tom Plassman personally visited the parish and listened to grievances. They were addressed fairly and justly.

As an old SBU alumnus, I appreciate that historical note. Thanks and "Pace e Bene"!

Hi Roman Byzantine,
I'm also in WNY (with SBU alum in the family) and have been trying to contact St. Mary Byzantine over the last few months to find out mass (divine liturgy?) times - do you happen to know if the parish is still active?

While the Franciscans have history with the Eastern Churches, the relationship between Cardinal O'Malley and Metropolitan Methodius is attributable to the very long-standing relationship between the Latin Catholic and Greek Orthodox hierarchs of Boston, tracing back to the days of then-Archbishop, later Cardinal, Richard Cushing and then Archbishop, later Patriarch, Athenagoras, both of blessed memory.

Cushing, who was an ecumenist when the term was hardly known, had a deep-seated interest in, respect for, and love of the East (which greatly benefitted the many Eastern Catholic parishes within greater Boston). When he extended a collegial hand to his Orthodox counterpart, he received a receptive welcome. Thus began the very long-standing fraternal and collegial relationship that each has passed from successor to successor for somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 years. I can't speak to the personal relationship between the incumbents but, over the years of Cushing's term, these weren't just pro forma relationships; it was clear when you saw them together at functions, that they were genuine friends on a personal level.

Many years,

Neil

Richard Cardinal Cushing was also a great friend of the Franciscans, and his blessed mortal remains interred at the replica of the Portziuncula on the grounds of St. Colleta's in Braintree. I can still feel the slap he gave me on my cheek at Confirmation in 1954. I think it eventually sent me East!