Moscow Patriarch at odds with Constantinople on Ukraine Moscow, Apr. 01 (CWNews.com) - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II has claimed that the Moscow Patriarchate is the only true representative of the Orthodox
faithful in Ukraine. His statement comes in response to an announcement that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople-- the acknowledged "first among equals"
of the Orthodox world-- does not accept Moscow's claims to sole authority in Ukraine.
During a March 24 meeting with Ukraine's new President Viktor Yushchenko, Archbishop Vsevolod, an official representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, said that
the Moscow Patriarchate does not have canonical jurisdiction over the Ukrainian Orthodox Church- Kiev Patriarchate. The Kiev Patriarchate is headed by Patriarch
Filaret, who broke with Moscow over demands for autonomy. The Kiev Patriarchate now rivals the Ukrainian Orthodox Church- Moscow Patriarchate in claiming the
allegiance of Ukrainian Orthodox believers.
But Patriarch Alexei said that only the Moscow Patriarchate has the right to organize the Ukrainian Orthodox churches. He argued strongly against "interference" by
the Ecumenical Patriarchate. "An appeal to the Patriarch of Constantinople could bring a new schism into the life of the Church in Ukraine," the Russian prelate
claimed.
The Kiev Patriarchate-- along with a third group of Ukrainian Orthodox prelates, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine-- had asked for intervention from
Constantinople to acknowledge that the independent churches were legitimate representatives of the Orthodox faith.
Primary: Schism
Alternate(s): schismatic
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Definition:
"Schism," the Greek word for tear, refers to the willful separation of a group from the Catholic Church and eccelsiatical communion. A schism occurs when a group
of Catholics, ordinarily including one or more bishops and priests, deliberately breaks off ties with the Holy See.
Vatican II acknowledges that those in schism do retain certain bonds with the Church, including Baptism, faith in Christ, and hope for unity in the future. Some
schismatic groups-- notably the Orthodox churches-- also maintain valid sacraments.
A schism differs from a heresy in that the reason for separation is not primarily doctrinal.
For more details see the entry in the old Catholic Encyclopedia.
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http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13529a.htm Primary: prelate
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Definition:
A "prelate" is any member of the Church hierarchy. Ordinarily the term is used to refer to a bishop, but it can also apply to monsignors who are "domestic
prelates."
Primary: Patriarch of Constantinople
Alternate(s): Ecumenical Patriarch
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Definition:
The Patriarch of Constantinople, or "Ecumenical Patriarch," is regarded as the "first among equals" in the Orthodox hierarchy-- the leader of the Orthodox world.
The Patriarchate of Constantinople, which traces its origin to the apostle St. Andrew, emerged into special prominence with the rise of the Byzantine empire, when
the Patriarch became the Eastern counterpart to the Pope: the Patriarch of Rome. Since that time the Ecumenical Patriarch has been recognized as the chief voice of
the Orthodox world.
Today the Patriarchate of Constantinople-- which remains in Istanbul-- has comparatively few faithful, although the Patriarch retains considerable influence over
the world's 300 million Orthodox believers.
The current Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, a native of Turkey, has held that post since 1991.
Primary: canon law
Alternate(s): Code of Canon Law canonical
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Definition:
Canon Law is the fundamental legislation that governs the Catholic Church.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, efforts to set down the various decrees governing Church affairs date back to the 13th century, and the Decretals of Pope Gregory
IX. However it was only in the early 20th century that Pope Pius X called for a methodical compilation of all ecclesiastical laws. The result was the first Code of
Canon Law, which appeared in 1917.
The Second Vatican Council called for the preparation of a revised Code. This project, begun in 1965, finally produced the new Code of Canon Law that took force in
1983.
In addition to the canons that appear in the Code, the legislation of the Church includes liturgical guidelines and other decrees that may be issued under the
authority of the Pope, who is the official legislator of the Roman Catholic Church. In interpreting the Code, he is assisted by the Pontifical Council for the
Interpretation of Legislative Texts, which handles inquiries about the meaning of individual canons.
The Eastern Catholic churches have their own separate Code, which was formally promulgated in 1990. The Eastern Code is generally similar to the Roman Code, but
incorporates different legislation reflecting the Byzantine liturgical and theological traditions.
