Replies

DManA:

We really need to step back from the polemics with the Orthodox, in my opinion. Vatican II did not teach any dogmas, and it has been many times misinterpreted by the liberation theologians and critical perspective biblical scholars, no doubt. However, there does seem to be some real fruit of Vatican 2 interpreted in continuity with all that came before it [to use Emeritus Pope Benedict’s term] with respect to our relationship with the Orthodox. Vatican 2 allowed Pope Paul VI to meet Patriarch Athagoras in 1964. The Eastern Patriarch has journeyed to Rome to celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the past, at one such celebration, Pope Benedict and the Patriarch led the Catholics gathered at the Mass in reciting the Nicene Creed. The recent meeting of Pope Francis and the Patriarch was really interesting.

So this could be a major, major, major. In addition, I think the Orthodox are having a Synod in 2017 so it will be interesting as to how this plays out. If the Patriarch of Constantinople says for 1,700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea, he is calling for the Orthodox and Roman Church to meet together, I wonder if his brother Bishops will listen to him, or maybe how many will listen.

Now I pray at a theological level, this happens because God is one, and Christ is one and his Church is one, both visibly and spiritually and with the Orthodox, we share 99.99999% already. Now there is a side of me that would also like to see this happen if just to see the FR Protestant heads here allegorically “explode”