One step closer to reunification of the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church?
I hope and pray it may be.
Did anyone read this article?
Patriarch of Constantinople ADDRESSES SYNOD OF BISHOPS
VATICAN CITY, 18 OCT 2008 (VIS) - In the Sistine Chapel at 5 pm today, the Pope presided over the celebration of First Vespers of 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, marking the participation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in the work of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The ceremony, attended by more than 400 cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and laity, began with a few words of introduction by Benedict XVI.
In his speech in English language, Bartholomew I highlighted how this "is the first time in history that an Ecumenical Patriarch is offered the opportunity to address a Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, and thus be part of the life of this sister Church at such a high level. We see this as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit leading our Churches to a closer and deeper relationship between them, an important step towards the restoration of our full communion. "
"It is well known that the Orthodox Church attaches to the synod system fundamental ecclesiological importance. Together with primacy, synodality constitutes the backbone of church government and organization. … Therefore, in that today the privilege to address your Synod our hopes are raised that the day will come when our two Churches will fully converge on the role of primacy and synodality in the life of the Church, to which our Committee Joint Theological devoting its study at the moment. "
"We have explored", he concluded, "the patristic teaching of the spiritual senses, discerning the power to hear and speak the Word of God in Scripture, of seeing God's Word in icons and nature, as well as playing and sharing the Word of God in the saints and sacraments. However, to remain true to the life and mission of the Church, must personally be changed by the Word. The Church must resemble the mother, who sustains and nourishes through the food he eats. Anything that does not feed and nourish everyone can not sustain us either. When the world does not share the joy of the Resurrection of Christ, this is an indictment of our own integrity and commitment to the living Word of God. "
After speaking of the Patriarch, the Pope thanked him for his words assuring him that would be studied and discussed by the Synod. "This too was a joyful experience," he said, "an experience of unity, perhaps not perfect but real and profound. I thought to myself: his parents, he has quoted widely, are our parents and our people are also his. And if we have common fathers, how can we not be brothers? "
Source: http://212.77.1.245/news_services/press/ …
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Yes! What a wonderful blessing that would be fully welcome any of our separated brethren. This unification of East and West would be a declaration to the worlds of Christian communities that any wound can be healed, but the deep wound of the reform.
The words are fine and dandy, but what will they do? Pope is willing to give up the claims of supremacy, infallibility, and the Filioque clause, which caused the schism in the first place?
Well, I do not hold your breath.
The Catholic Church is not interested in a merger - who are interested in an acquisition.
And that might not sit too well with the Orthodox Church of the attendees.
Well, I certainly hope we are all closer to the reunification of the churches who truly love Jesus Christ as our Savior commanded!
Ive read it and I've heard Pope Benedict about the matter, the fact that we are so close to my heart is filled with such joy.
That would be great. Jesus prayed for a unified church.
Praise God, we can follow the prayer of our Lord, who has told us all be one in his Church. God bless!
In Christ
Fr Joseph
Great answer Holy Cow Jumper Star struck him on the nose!
Whats the matter? The collapse of the church that banks are
The two have degenerated so low that you can no longer distinguish one from another. Both feel the need to integrate for fear of losing credibility and influence in the world, and it's time for the wonderful works of Satan to bring everyone under one head against the truth of God.
God willing, s drive in your body!
This is the first step, now all we need is the rest to return to the true Church and unite under it, so that the Spirit of God will give us the power given to him from the beginning.
It is an act of courage and some would say the only move to make, but whatever the reason, you may be praised!
The Orthodox Christian Church would never allow a merger with the Catholic Church unless three things happen:
1. Restore the Nicene Creed in its original form. The Orthodox and Catholics agree with that from the way it was written. It was also agreed by the two religions to not be altered or modified, added or omitted. Catholics broke this agreement when they added the "Filioque" in 1950. To combine as a religion, Catholics must remove the Filioque from its original form.
2. The Pope must admit he is not infallible.
3. The Papacy (aka Pope's position) must be terminated. The synod of Bishops and Archbishops' Council should be restored. The true church was never designed to be ruled by one man.
In other words, the Catholic Church is in bankruptcy and seeks to merge with a more lucrative business?
Our humble little monastery here in Crete, Toplu was raised for the sale of 1.7 billion euros the value of OUR land to the Germans to the golf courses. Read the 'other news'.
Forgive me, but no two brothers Churches. There is one body and one truth. There are serious theological divide separating the Roman Catholic Church of the Orthodox. The person of the Holy Spirit has been distorted, the nature of sin, and the very essence of the Church. The Ecumenical Patriarch speaks highly of the unit, and the return of the Roman Church, the Orthodox would be wonderful, but can not be done unless the Romans in turn to the authentic faith that is celebrated in the Church Orhtodox unchanged.
Ask the monks of Mount Athos anywere or most of the world and they will tell you that the ecumenical movement is a pan-heresy. The monks have kept the faith pure, over time, living the life of Christ and we caught up with his humility and devotion to Truth. If you do not listen.
Brother there are no other churches besides ours. This does not mean we should be hostile to the heresies that we show love but we can not be disillusioned into thinking that we are one with them, or never should be.