Are Talks With Orthodox Getting Anywhere? Pope Says Yes

[_Abyssinia]

Benedict XVI today told an official Orthodox delegation that talks between the two Churches can appear to progress slowly due to the complexity of the themes.

The Pope said this when he addressed a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, which came for the traditional Orthodox visit to Rome in honor of Wednesday’s feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

The Holy Father spoke of the “friendship and genuine fraternity that unites the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” but he also affirmed that “the incomplete communion that already unites us must grow until it attains full visible unity.”

zenit.org/rssenglish-32960

 

[SonCatcher]

 

[Digitonomy]

From the article:

The commission is discussing the question of the role of the Bishop of Rome in the Church communion of the first millennium

If they can crack this nut, the rest will be relatively easy. Unfortunately, I suspect neither the Vatican nor the Orthodox churches are willing to backpedal enough to reach common ground in this.

 

[leonie]

Only the Holy Spirit can complete this work. We need to pray!!

 

[SonCatcher]

Only the Holy Spirit can complete this work. We need to pray!!

 

[jwinch2]

Hopefully the men in question (on all sides of the discussion) can set their own pride and ego aside and allow the Holy Spirit to work in them.

 

[tlimon]

We foster the Holy Spirit by loving each other. There should be a grass roots effort of Catholic lay people who make friends with the Eastern Orthodox. Maybe we should hold a monthly coffee social. I don’t know - something simple at first. But I think we should try and avoid talking about doctrine when we do. If anything I think it will dispell some bitterness. When I moved to the country from the city as a kid, I met people who really disliked, even hated, black people. I couldn’t understand their attitude because before I moved to the country most of my friends were black. When we live close, when we share meals, and when we laugh and cry together there is no other option but to see the other as nothing but a friend. Take care and God bless.

 

[jwinch2]

There should be a grass roots effort of Catholic lay people who make friends with the Eastern Orthodox. Maybe we should hold a monthly coffee social. I don’t know - something simple at first. But I think we should try and avoid talking about doctrine when we do. If anything I think it will dispell some bitterness.

Interesting ideas. The city we are moving to has two Orthodox Churches close by. That might be something to consider.

Pax,