Posted on 09/14/2009 1:55:03 PM PDT by Teófilo
I don't think so.
Folks, this according to the National Catholic Register:
The Catholic Archbishop of Moscow has given a remarkably upbeat assessment of relations with the Orthodox Church, saying unity between Catholics and Orthodox could be achieved “within a few months.”Commentary. With all due respect to His Excellency Archbishop Pezzi, this is an over-enthusiastic, over-confident, over-optimistic assessment. Not that I am the foremost expert on this issue, but even I can see that all the things that must be in place for this to happen - a Pan-Orthodox Council, for example - are still years away.
In an interview today in Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper, Archbishop Paolo Pezzi said the miracle of reunification “is possible, indeed it has never been so close.” The archbishop added that Catholic-Orthodox reunification, the end of the historic schism that has divided them for a millennium, and spiritual communion between the two churches “could happen soon, within a few months.”
“Basically we were united for a thousand years,” Archbishop Pezzi said. “Then for another thousand we were divided. Now the path to rapprochement is at its peak, and the third millennium of the Church could begin as a sign of unity.” He said there were “no formal obstacles” but that “everything depends on a real desire for communion.”
On the part of the Catholic Church, he added, “the desire is very much alive.”
Archbishop Pezzi, 49, whose proper title is Metropolitan Archbishop of the Mother of God Archdiocese in Moscow, said that now there are “no real obstacles” on the path towards full communion and reunification. On issues of modernity, Catholics and Orthodox Christians feel the same way, he said: “Nothing separates us on bioethics, the family, and the protection of life.”
Also on matters of doctrine, the two churches are essentially in agreement. “There remains the question of papal primacy,” Archbishop Pezzi acknowledged, “and this will be a concern at the next meeting of the Catholic-Orthodox Commission. But to me, it doesn’t seem impossible to reach an agreement.”
Prospects for union with the Orthodox have increased markedly in recent years with the election of Pope Benedict XVI, whose work as a theologian in greatly admired in Orthodox circles. Benedict is also without the burden of the difficult political history between Poland and Russia, which hindered Polish Pope John Paul II from making as much progress as he would have liked regarding Catholic-Orthodox unity.
Relations have also been greatly helped by the election of Patriarch Kirill I earlier this year as leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is by far the largest of the national churches in the Orthodox Church. As the former head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external relations, Kirill met Benedict on several occasions before and after he became Pope, and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch is well acquainted with the Roman Curia and with Catholicism.
A Pan-Orthodox Council is the only synodical organ that, as I understand it, can deputize someone to speak on behalf of the whole Orthodox Church in any reunion conversation. Ongoing Catholic-Orthodox theological dialogues are just that, conversations between Catholic and Orthodox theologians from various jurisdictionsbut not acting as legates of the Orthodox Church as a whole. Although these theological dialogues are valuable, the bind no one in the Orthodox Church. Only their maximum synod, this "Pan-Orthodox Council" may deputize that kind of power, again as I understand the issue, and before that synod takes place, the Orthodox Church faces a daunting task of intramural housekeeping across its many jurisdictions, some of them are recalcitrant anti-Catholic and of various degrees of contested canonical recognition.
This report is overblown - another "over" word, sorry about that. Although I believe in miracles, I don't think this is one. Let us keep praying for unity between Orthodox and Catholic Christians.
- Simultaneous coverage at the Typika Blog.
PING!
I fully expect the newly reunited Church to declare evolution and higher criticism to be dogmas of the faith, first thing!
Best advice: don’t feed the troll
As for any restoration of unity in the Church ... Yikes. Too many issues (on both sides) that can't just be papered over.
And since the Lutherans are sharing communion with the Catholics that would mean the Reformation is over.
Troll or not still interesting to see what these guys are up to, or think they're up to, but I think I'll put this on my "needs to be looked at" calendar for March 8, 2021.
The Lutherans aren’t “sharing communion with the Catholics”. Only properly disposed Catholics and members of the Orthodox Church are permitted to receive Communion in a Catholic mass.
All those who accept the salvation offered by Christ, including Lutherans and others who have separated themselves from the Catholic Church by heresy, are part of the communion of Christians.
However, the only Christians who are permitted to participate in the Sacrament of Communion (i.e. the Eucharistic Meal) at a Catholic mass are properly disposed Catholics and members of the Orthodox Church.
I don’t think this is likely right now, either, but more cordiality is good, anyway.
I sure would like to see this in my lifetime. I pray they find a way.
Excessive enthusiasm seems to have overcome the good Archbishop!
I remember when then Bishop now Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh announced after chairing the Orthodox/Latin group that came up with the agreed statement on the filioque that he had “achieved reunion with the Roman Catholics.” Very nice man, Met. Max. No doubt Archbishop Paolo is too. They’re both just a tad too enthusiastic! :)
Over-enthusiastic bonhommie beats the alternative of digging up people’s bones and torturing their rotted remains.
Of course, there’s probably a middle ground, but that’s rather boring ...
Well I'm glad that little misunderstanding has been cleared up then.
Where to next?
In reunion there is no middle ground with proper doctrine. One side will have to admit they have been wrong for centuries. Will not happen.
I don’t see it, myself, but God likes to surprise us.
>> Subtle distinction ~ “being in communion with” and “participating in communion with” ~ <<
Not among Catholics is there a distinction. Participating in communion with someone is the sign of being in communion with someone. Saying you’re in communion with someone forbidding participating in communion with that person is like saying you’re married, but forbidden to have sex, or a state issuing a driver’s license that forbids the person from operating a vehicle. It makes no sense.
On the other hand, the (Lutheran) Church of Finland is seeking reconciliation with the Catholic Church.
I would be more receptive towards the announcement if it had come from a high-ranking Vatican official. While nothing is impossible for God, the Catholic-Orthodox schism may be lasting a little longer than Archbishop Pezzi is anticipating.
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