Pope Francis and Eastern Catholics

[twf]

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was Ordinary for the Eastern Faithful in Argentina. During his first remarks today, he seemed to place special emphasis on his role as Bishop of Rome - as in the local Church in Rome. I wonder if he will have a special agenda in regards to Eastern Christianity/Catholicism.

 

[choliks]

Quoted from an Eastern Catholic source:

Patriarch Sviatoslav on Pope Francis:

"I would first like to say that the newly elected Pope Francis was mentored by one of our priests, Stepan Chmil who is now buried in the basilica of St. Sophia in Rome. Today’s Pope, during his time as a student of the Salesian school, awoke many hours before his classmates to concelebrate at our Divine Liturgy with Fr. Stepan. He knows our Tradition very well, as well as our Liturgy.

The last time I had an opportunity to see him was as I was preparing to leave Argentina for Ukraine. I asked him to bear witness to the process of beatifying Fr. Stepan Chmil, to which, he gladly agreed. The Holy Father very well knows not only of our Church, but also our liturgy, our rites, and our spirituality.

Apart from this, Pope Francis, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, was assigned as ordinary for Eastern Catholics, specifically those who at the time did not have members of their own hierarchy. Our Eparchy in Argentina is, let’s say, suffragan to the Archbishop’s seat of Buenos Aires. In this way, Cardinal Bergoglio, always took care of our Church in Argentina; and as a young bishop, I took my first steps in episcopal ministry under his watchful eyes and help. Because of this, I am positive that the Holy Father will be a great help to our Church, and I expect that great things await our Church with this Pope.

In regards to the personality of the new Holy Father - he is an incredibly modest person. For example, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, he never relied on his own automobile, rather relying on public transportation, always in simple clothing. He mostly stands out in his enormous care for the less-fortunate, visiting the most impoverished neighborhoods. He is a person, I would say, of great pastoral foundation.

As a Jesuit, Pope Francis is an incredibly deep intellectual. I can attest to the fact that his homilies are quite short, sometimes no longer than five or six sentences, but he manages to fill them with such deep meaning, always leaving the faithful in silent contemplation upwards of five-to-seven minutes."

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I had heard that also about him being the Ordinary for the Eastern Catholics in Argentina. So very interesting. I am happy to hear that he knows at least one Divine Liturgy. I pray for more closeness within the Catholic Church and among Christians in general.

 

[Celticnovice]

Axios Axios Axios

 

[5Loaves]

Eis polla eti despota!

Quoted from an Eastern Catholic source:
Patriarch Sviatoslav on Pope Francis:

"As a Jesuit, Pope Francis is an incredibly deep intellectual. I can attest to the fact that** his homilies are quite short, sometimes no longer than five or six sentences, but he manages to fill them with such deep meaning,**

Our previous pastor, Fr Eugene, typically preached these kinds of perfectly distilled homilies. I don’t think they ever lasted more than a couple of minutes. Every one cut right through me. He was amazing. It seems to be a rare gift.

 

[WetCatechumen]

I sincerely doubt that Pope Francis will “breathe with both lungs”.

 

[George_G]

I sincerely doubt that Pope Francis will “breathe with both lungs”.

You’re funny.

 

[5Loaves]

From Facebook of Monasterio Católico Bizantino de la Transfiguración

Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Monastery of the Transfiguration, in the highlands of Pigüé, Argentina.
“We want to share with all the great joy of having an Argentine Pope!. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was a very close father to us, and has always supported us in everything. We thank God for this great blessing to Argentina and around the world!. We pray very much for it. Viva the Pope Francisco!” (Translated by Bing)

 

[5Loaves]

Several Orthodox responses:

The Russian Orthodox Church has welcomed the election of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new pontiff told RIA Novosti spokesman of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, Deacon Alexander Volkov…

“Pope Francis has repeatedly expressed its sympathy for the Russian Orthodox Church and his desire to establish close contact with it,” said Bishop Hilarion.

According to him, at the time of the Archbishopric of Buenos Aires, Francis often visited the Cathedral of the Annunciation belonging to the Russian Orthodox community in the Argentine capital. He attended the divine offices and met with priests and faithful.

Read the full post at “parlons d’orthodoxie”
(translate.google.com/)

In a letter dated March 14, 2013, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon offered congratulations to the newly elected Pope Francis.

“It is with joy that I convey to You the congratulations of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on the occasion of Your election as Pope,” the letter opens. “Your example as Archbishop of Buenos Aires has told the world that Your commitment is to the Gospel of Christ, its truth and its love. Your witness during Your first steps as Pope confirms this commitment strongly and without reservation.”

The entire text of the letter is posted in PDF format here.

From Abbot Tryphon of All-Merciful Saviour Monastery, ROCOR:

“…In taking the name of a saint known for humility and a simple lifestyle, Pope Francis promises to be the Christ-like image of leadership the Roman Catholic Church, and, dare I say, the whole world, needs. With the rise of secularism, atheism, and Islam, the Christ-like witness we see in this pope, promises to be a leaven for the rebuilding of a Christianity that has been in decline. This, to my mind, is a pope we Orthodox can work with, and a man we can love.”

full text at morningoffering.blogspot.com/

 

[Peter_J]

I sincerely doubt that Pope Francis will “breathe with both lungs”.

He wasn’t expected to be elected because of his age (76), but the Cardinals had other ideas. And he looks pretty healthy to me.

 

[Brendan]

He wasn’t expected to be elected because of his age (76), but the Cardinals had other ideas. And he looks pretty healthy to me.

Well, he’s lived this long with just a single lung, so prospects look good.

 

[theistgal]

I sincerely doubt that Pope Francis will “breathe with both lungs”.

Here now, that’s the second time you’ve posted this joke, in two different threads. It’s a good joke, but not a great joke.

 

[griego_catolico]

Among the first activities of His Holiness include the following:

On Wednesday, 20 March, he will hold an audience with fraternal delegates representing the heads of the various Eastern rite Churches so there will not be a General Audience.

Source: zenit.org/en/articles/events-on-francis-schedule

 

[Filii_Dei]

This is fantastic news:

For the first time since the Great Schism, ecumenical patriarch to attend pope’s inaugural Mass

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I will attend Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass. The Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office informed AsiaNews about the decision, noting that this is the first time such an event occurs since the Catholic-Orthodox split in 1054, an important sign for Christian unity.

The ecumenical patriarch will be accompanied by Ioannis Zizioulas, metropolitan of Pergamon and co-president of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church, as well as Tarassios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Argentina, and Gennadios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Italy.

Read more…

I pray that our new Holy Father continues the good work laid down by his predecessor in further warming the ties between the Eastern and Western churches.

I also pray that we see him celebrate a Divine Liturgy sometime in the near future.

 

[CatholicFireman]

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=765231

 

[griego_catolico]

Details regarding Pope Francis’ inauguration include:

…Regarding the beginning of the ceremony, the Pope, once having entered the Basilica, will head to the Confession (St. Peter’s tomb under the high altar) while trumpets will announce the “Tu es Petrus”. The Pope will venerate the tomb of St. Peter, together with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches (ten in number, four of whom are cardinals). He will then be presented with the Pallium, Ring, and Book of the Gospels that were placed at St. Peter’s tomb the night before…

…At the present moment, the main delegations that are expected to attend are:

• 33 delegations representing Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities (14 Oriental; 10 Western; 3 Christian organizations; others). Among these will be present: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I; Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians Karekin II; Metropolitan Hilarion of the Patriarchate of Moscow; many metropolitans; Anglican Archbishop Sentamu; Secretary of the World Council of Churches Fykse Tveit; etc…

Source: news.va/en/news/tomorrow-mass-of-inauguration-of-bishop-of-romes-p

 

[Sophronius]

That’s awesome!

What I don’t get, is how Pope Francis, being beloved by Eastern Catholic and hailed by the Orthodox can be so anti-Latin Mass.

What are Eastern Catholic’s take on his treatment of the traditional Roman Liturgy?

 

[SonCatcher]

That’s awesome!

What I don’t get, is how Pope Francis, being beloved by Eastern Catholic and hailed by the Orthodox can be so anti-Latin Mass.

What are Eastern Catholic’s take on his treatment of the traditional Roman Liturgy?

I don’t think the Eastern Catholics celebrate their liturgies in Latin, either.

 

[Anthony86]

The east traditionally celebrates the Liturgy in the vernacular.

 

[Amadeus]

x x x

What I don’t get, is how Pope Francis, being beloved by Eastern Catholic and hailed by the Orthodox can be so anti-Latin Mass.

x x x

What’s the basis of your statement?

His inaugural Mass tomorrow is in Latin, except that the Gospel will be proclaimed and chanted in Greek to show the universality of the Church!