The key words, of course, being "in spades," as shade off the "strongly agree," I suppose?
+Alfeyev is correct in his objection to the western portrayal of the EP as a sort of Orthodox "Pope," and I have addressed the danger of such attitude in my previous posts.
Rome can only prove that it is genuinely interested in reconciliation with the Orthodox Church if all Patriarchs are treated equally, and not treating the EP as the "head" of the Orthodox Church (which I don't think has been the case so far but sometimes it comes dangerously close).
On the other hand, if I wanted to considerably weaken the Orthodox side, I would very much favor the EP, with the desired effect of dividing the Church into the "EP commemorating" and "non-EP commemorating" clergy and laity.
That is why the Vatican's and Constantinople's "dance" is watched very carefully. especially by the Slavic Orthodox, and why some may have reservations when it comes to believing what is really the aim of the Vatican.
We want to believe that it is genuine and that +Benedict XVI is motivated by love and genuine desire for the Church to be reunited again, and that this is not a modern version of "Uniatism."
"The key words, of course, being "in spades," as shade off the "strongly agree," I suppose?"
It means we agree 100%!
"+Alfeyev is correct in his objection to the western portrayal of the EP as a sort of Orthodox "Pope," and I have addressed the danger of such attitude in my previous posts."
And this danger arises in great measure from the EP's own mindset. Personally, I think there is a danger of this with the present EP and have thought so ever since the Spyridon affair. But we all know what happened there and who thwarted what might have been +Bartholomeus' plans. Anyway, its good to keep an eye on him.
The last two popes have indicated a strong desire to visit Moscow. It has been the MP who has said that such a visit would not be welcomed.