Pope and Orthodox Patriarch Express Words of Unity

Zenit News Agency ^ | November 21, 2005

[NYer]

BOLOGNA, Italy, NOV. 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- In a message to the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople, Benedict XVI renewed his intention to continue on the path of Christian unity.

The message to Patriarch Bartholomew I also stated that the Pope hoped to travel soon to Istanbul, Turkey, headquarters of the Orthodox patriarchate.

The papal message was read by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, during the Byzantine-rite vespers he presided over Saturday in the Basilica of St. Petronius in Bologna. On hand was Archbishop Carlo Caffarra of Bologna.

Patriarch Bartholomew I, the "first among equals" of the Orthodox Church, traveled to Italy at the invitation of the University of Bologna, to receive an honorary doctorate for "Conservation of Cultural Goods." The honor was conferred on him Saturday.

Benedict XVI in his message congratulated the patriarch for this "opportune" recognition of "Your Holiness' action to promote the growth in public opinion of the understanding of the values proper of creation, work of God, manifestation of his freedom, wisdom and love."

The Pope invited the Orthodox patriarch "to intensify all efforts to journey toward the full unity of all the disciples of Christ."

In his message, the Roman Pontiff expressed his "joyful" hope to "meet personally, when God wills," with the ecumenical patriarch in his See of Constantinople.

Bartholomew I, with jurisdiction over some 200 million faithful worldwide, invited the Pope to visit Istanbul at the beginning of his pontificate. The Turkish government echoed this invitation; the visit is expected to take place next year.

Source of hope

In the message read by Cardinal Etchegaray, the Pope renewed his commitment to dedicate himself "to the holy cause of promoting Christian unity, which Your Holiness bears so profoundly in his heart."

In the homily delivered during vespers, Bartholomew I expressed "the desire to meet soon personally" with the Pope.

The patriarch of Constantinople referred to the "permanent division" between Orthodox and Catholics as "a motive of great sorrow for our heart as Christians," but at the same time he said that it is a "source of great hope to see that so many steps are being taken, above all through knowledge, friendship and reciprocal collaboration."

In particular, he stressed the need of Catholics and Orthodox to give common testimony of the Gospel before a "modern society which increasingly moves away from the theocentric vision of life, denying in fact our divine origin and the object of our existence, which is found in Jesus, the risen God-Man."

[NYer]

Catholic - Orthodox ping!

[kosta50]

Thank you, NYer. Good news and good will is hard to argue with. It's a blessing.

Only one comment. Re: Bartholomew I, with jurisdiction over some 200 million faithful worldwide.

He has jurisdiction over his tiny parish, the GOA and has some power over the Church of Greece if I am not mistaken. Outside of that, he has no direct jurisdiction over other Orthodox.

Your Catholic news source simply does not comprehend that he is NOT a "little pope."

[NYer]

He has jurisdiction over his tiny parish, the GOA and has some power over the Church of Greece if I am not mistaken. "

Seems Associated Press is under the same impression .. lol.

Posing together at the end of the Peace and Tolerance Copnference, are from left, Sheikhul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh Chairman of The Muslims Board of Caucasus, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of Appeal of Conscience Foundation, hold the joint declaration in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders meeting in Istanbul said religious figures have an obligation to be the voice of conciliation and peace, and not to incite religious conflict. The conference was held at the invitation of Istanbul-based Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians, and was co-sponsored by the New York-based Appeal of Conscience Foundation. (AP Photo/Osman Orsal)

[Kolokotronis]

Excellent.

[Kolokotronis]

" Your Catholic news source simply does not comprehend that he is NOT a "little pope.""

Does the EP? :)

[kosta50]

Seems Associated Press is under the same impression .. lol

So, two wrongs make it right? The AP is probably as secular as it gets. For them not to know better is one thing; for a Ctaholic news source is a different story.

The mental divide that exists here is frightening.

[Tantumergo]

"Does the EP? :)"

LOL!

[Kolokotronis]

Hey, Deacon! Long time no see!

[Tantumergo]

"For them not to know better is one thing; for a Ctaholic news source is a different story."

Don't panic, kosta - its only Zenit. They are a tabloid news organization which specialises in peddling theological ignorance. I wouldn't take any of their commentary as being in danger of accuracy.

[Tantumergo]

Well, I had to pop up to see what tree-hugging initiatives the two old men would come up with this time! ;)

Hope all is well with you.

[Kolokotronis]

Praise to God, all of us are well. The oldest is home from Law School for Thanksgiving Day and it sure is good to see him!

[kosta50]

...its only Zenit. They are a tabloid news organization which specialises in peddling theological ignorance

Thank you Father Deacon and welcome back. I must admit my ignorance about Zenit. It is often used as a source by some Catholics on FR, so I believed it had more merit than "specializing in peddling theological ignorance."

I was also told that the Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent) is not an official source, implying that its information was also dubious, at least whe it came to its topics on Maronite Christians. So, now I stay away from that source as well.

Perhaps you could guide us unfamiliar Orthodox by listing some sources that should be trusted when it comes to promoting Roman Catholic theological (and ecclesiastical) knowledge.

And please do stay this time, even if we have some disagreements. We are all subject to demons and weakness, but lately we have been having much more fraternal relationship on this forum. Looking forward to seeing you more often here,

Kosta

[Kolokotronis]

Good to see you're up! Is the cafe good?

[kosta50]

I made it extra strong this morning, y'know -- the Greek style -- and I am typing 100 words every three seconds...ever heard of R2D2? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

But I must admit, I am sipping it in divided doses although the cup is BIG. The important thing is I am chewing my kafa this morning, and boy what a difference it makes --- eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

How's are the cows and the chickens up there? Any snow yet?

[Kolokotronis]

Now you see how much better it is when your kafe is both a liquid beverage and a solid food!

Grind some good Hawaian coffee powder fine. Fill a #3 briki with enough water; when its warm put in three teaspoons of sugar and three of coffe. You know the rest of the drill. Sip it along with a glass of cold water and its just like sitting in the platea at Pylos overlooking the Ionian Sea.

The chickens are all dead; weasel got 'em and the cows ran away! Too bad! We got a light dusting of snow last night but nothing to amount to anything. There may be more today and tomorrow.

[kosta50]

Darn! I knew the chickens would catch that "boyd flu" if it gets cold!

[Campion]

I was also told that the Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent) is not an official source, implying that its information was also dubious, at least whe it came to its topics on Maronite Christians.

It's not an official source, but it's a usually-reliable secondary source. However, it's an online repackaging of the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia (the newer ones are copyrighted), so it's not especially up-to-date.

An official source would be a formal teaching or governing document from someone with the authority to teach or govern, which the Catholic Encyclopedia definitely isn't.

[Kolokotronis]

"Darn! I knew the chickens would catch that "boyd flu" if it gets cold!"

They were Balkan Mountain fighting chickens too, among the fiercest on the planet!!!!!!! The flu probably weakened them so that the weasels overcame them! So sad. Snow is piling up a bit. Time for kafe!

[kosta50]

However, it's an online repackaging of the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia (the newer ones are copyrighted), so it's not especially up-to-date

Well, thanks for the xplanation. I am not sure what "up-to-date" means. Are you suggesting that what the Encyclopedia says the Catholic Church taught in 1917 is not the same thing today? Or are you simply suggesting that certain names and events are not mentioned because they haven't yet occurred in 1917?

Anoter issue is this: if the Catholic Encylopedia is not an official source, is the Catholic Curch saying the Encyclopedia is not accurate? If it does not teach what the RCC teaches, then it should not be used as a source purporting Catholic facts. If, on the other hand, it is accurate then it is reliable to reflect the truth as believed by the RCC. Which is it? And, where does the "official" source come in and why?