"The disastrous effects of the Vatican I really come to surface here. We cannot hammer out the unity of Faith except through an EC, and we cannot have an EC until the Bishop of Rome calls one, but he can't call one because he is not in communion with the Orthodox. It's that chicken/egg thing."
As you have posited the situation, of course its a chicken and egg thing. But tell me, why does the Pope have to call an Ecumenical Council? And don't tell me he's the default summoner of a council because the Emperor is gone. Why couldn't the five patriarchs of the the Church of the 7 Councils call it together and summon all the Churches to send representatives, get down to business and see if they can work out matters. The fact that we are in schism, historicly isn't an impediment so far as I know. If a Great Council can resolve the theological differences, including the the appropriate role of the pope and the Churches can reach consensus, then we'll see if the people proclaim their AXIOS or ANAXIOS by living that union or not as the case may be. The purpose of the ongoing discussions would be to see where the apparent points of both agreement and disagreement might be so as to properly prepare for such a Great Council.
I think that's what is going on right now. If I'm off the mark here, I'm certainly willing to be corrected! :)
Do Church canons discuss how and by whom and EC can be called?