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Pope Again Reaches Out to Orthodox Church
Herald Tribune ^ | June 30, 2003

Posted on 06/30/2003 2:53:51 PM PDT by NYer

VATICAN CITY Pope John Paul II again reached out to the Orthodox Church on Sunday, saying his efforts at reconciliation weren't just "ecclesiastic courtesy" but a sign of his profound desire to unite the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.

John Paul made the comments during his regular appearance to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square. Later Sunday, he welcomed a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at a traditional Mass marking the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul.

"The exchange of delegations between Rome and Constantinople, for the respective patron feasts, goes beyond just an act of ecclesiastic courtesy," the pontiff said. "It reflects the profound and rooted intention to re-establish the full communion between East and West."

John Paul has made improving relations with the Orthodox Church a hallmark of his nearly 25-year papacy, visiting several mostly Orthodox countries and expressing regret for the wrongs committed by the Catholic Church against Orthodox Christians.

Despite his efforts at healing the 1,000-year-old schism, he hasn't yet visited Russia because of objections from the Russian Orthodox Church.

During the Mass on Sunday, 42 new archbishops received the pallium, a band of white wool decorated with black crosses that symbolizes their bond with the Vatican. Two of the archbishops received the pallium in their home parishes; the rest took part in the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.


TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; General Discusssion; History; Ministry/Outreach; Orthodox Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; ecumenism; orthodox; pope; vatican
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To: MarMema; Aquinasfan
What keeps us clinging to our church and each other so stubbornly is not a book or doctrine or even Holy Scripture, but the unity we experience with one another, the love we share, and the inner knowledge of our truth as a family.

St. Josaphat must have certainly felt the deep sincerity of this unifying experential love shared with him by his fellow Orthodox Rus' family as deeply as the passage of the axe and bullet that were smashed through his body by the Orthodox lovers of Christ in Polotsk.

81 posted on 07/01/2003 8:36:50 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker (Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.)
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Christ taught humility, something missing in Catholocism. We always open to unification when Pope but Patriarch first amongst EQUALS....so while you can not or will not get through head that point, all your words like wind...just blowing and lost. Try regathering own flock which is heading to us or to protestants and not want to stay in corrupt, child molester protecting organization. Judge not least you be judged yourself...why pick at the mote in your brother's eye when you have a plank in your own....so fix that plank.
82 posted on 07/01/2003 8:37:34 AM PDT by RussianConservative (Hristos: the Light of the World)
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To: Aquinasfan
It is God's word as you interpret it. You are fully aware from previous discussions that we ( along with the protestants) do not agree.

... here is yet another example of the hundreds of online Orthodox postings....

Is Peter the Rock?

Be sure to not miss Abbé Guettée: The Papacy: Its Historic Origin and Primitive Relations, at the bottom of the page. That should cover all the official arguments in one fell swoop.

83 posted on 07/01/2003 8:43:46 AM PDT by MarMema
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To: MarMema
Your church is grounded in this life ...

That comment was just plain stupid and ignorant. You're better than that.

84 posted on 07/01/2003 8:46:07 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard
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To: TexConfederate1861
I Clement is not a forgery. Although it had been lost for years, it first reappeared in modern times thanks to the Greek Patriarch of Constantinople, who found a copy of it in 1627 and sent a portion of it as an Easter gift to Charles I of England. Charles tendered it to his archivist/librarian (Young), who recognized its importance and identified it through Eusebius.

Other portions of I Clement were discovered in the late 17th century and the 19th century. We currently have versions of I Clement in Greek, Latin and Syriac; some are 4th century, some are 12th century.

By 1875, I Clement was reassembled from a variety of translations and manuscripts for the first time since about 4th century.

85 posted on 07/01/2003 8:48:05 AM PDT by eastsider
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To: RussianConservative
So submission to Hitler or Stalin is Christian?

Yes. Ss. Peter and Paul submitted to Nero, did they not? With those dear saints as our example, we are no less duty-bound to obey every authority on earth -- even the evil ones! -- as long as in so doing we do not render unto Caesar (the State) what rightfully belongs only to God. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." - [Rom. 13:1-2]

We submit to Bible, Ecomunical Councils, Holy Tradition not to one man with "infallability".

“So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless some one guides me?’” - [Acts 8:30-31]

Yours in Christian fraternity,

86 posted on 07/01/2003 8:51:28 AM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
I know a very EDUCATED Bishop in your own Church that will tell you that the idea of Papal Primacy "evolved"...

And since Peter was Bishop of Antioch FIRST, why isn't it the "Papal City"?

The fact is Gregory the Great, and many of the early Popes actually went out of their way to insist that they DID NOT hold a position of Primacy. One other thing, I do not HATE Roman Catholics, as a matter of fact, most of my family is Roman Catholic. What I do hate is the heresy, you Latin Types try to foist on people who are ignorant of Church History and Theology, in tha name of trying to bring about reunion. It isn't going to happen. The Bishop of Rome was always recognized as "First among equals" and as the Patriarch of the Western Church. and that was ALL until the
ambitions of Charlemagne and the Frankish Empire tempted Rome and GREED became the primary motivation.
87 posted on 07/01/2003 9:03:49 AM PDT by TexConfederate1861 ("better the turban of the Sultan, than the tiara of the Pope!")
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To: ArrogantBustard
This is from the OCA website. Better words than mine...

"The Church is one because God is one, and because Christ and the Holy Spirit are one. There can only be one Church and not many. And this one Church, because its unity depends on God, Christ, and the Spirit, may never be broken. Thus, according to Orthodox doctrine, the Church is indivisible; men may be in it or out of it, but they may not divide it.

According to Orthodox teaching, the unity of the Church is man's free unity in the truth and love of God. Such unity is not brought about or established by any human authority or juridical power, but by God alone. To the extent that men are in the truth and love of God, they are members of His Church.

Orthodox Christians believe that in the historical Orthodox Church there exists the full possibility of participating totally in the Church of God, and that only sins and false human choices (heresies) put men outside of this unity. In non-Orthodox Christian groups the Orthodox claim that there are certain formal obstacles, varying in different groups, which, if accepted and followed by men, will prevent their perfect unity with God and will thus destroy the genuine unity of the Church (e.g., the papacy in the Roman Church).

Within the unity of the Church man is what he is created to be and can grow for eternity in divine life in communion with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit. The unity of the Church is not broken by time or space and is not limited merely to those alive upon the earth. The unity of the Church is the unity of the Blessed Trinity and of all of those who live with God: the holy angels, the righteous dead, and those who live upon the earth according to the commandments of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit."

What you think of as a church is even different from our meaning for the word.

88 posted on 07/01/2003 9:03:51 AM PDT by MarMema
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Yes, because Catholics not raise sword against Orthodox all time...for example, you know where Alexander Nevski got name Nevski from? From the Battle of the Neva River where he drove Lithunanians back. But what Lithuanians doing there? Why Russ asked fellow Christians, Catholics...mistake, for aid against Mongols...and Popes in humility and love sent Poles and Lithuanians to conquer Orthodox from West. After Lith. came Teutonics...equally defeated....
89 posted on 07/01/2003 9:03:54 AM PDT by RussianConservative (Hristos: the Light of the World)
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To: B-Chan; MarMema; FormerLib; The_Reader_David; Destro
Yes. Ss. Peter and Paul submitted to Nero, did they not? With those dear saints as our example, we are no less duty-bound to obey every authority on earth -- even the evil ones!

That goes long way to explain Catholic stance with Nazi Germany, facist Italy, Utushi Croatia and Islamic Bosnia/Albania...thank you, finally someone say truth instead of denial of WW2 history.

Sorry, but we don't bend our knee to tyranny and turn blind eye in self serving "obedience" to earthly authority. We derive our law from God and we bend our knee to Christ no one else.

90 posted on 07/01/2003 9:08:03 AM PDT by RussianConservative (Hristos: the Light of the World)
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To: RussianConservative
Very interesting paper. Thanks for posting it.

Question: Will the Orthodox be rushing to dissolve their parallel ecclesial structures in the Roman Patriarch's "Canonical Territory", i.e. North America, South America, Africa, and Western Europe if we dissolve the Unia? If the Unia are a mark of a bad conscience on our part, what are the Orthodox dicoeses in the Americas and Western Europe, along with the evangelization efforts made among Catholics there?

Let me know when it is the 12th of Never so I don't miss this generous act of reciprocity by the Orthodox in return for our restraining the Unia.

91 posted on 07/01/2003 9:08:17 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: Aquinasfan
With that attitude you ready for Anti-Christ to take over. And sure will follow obidiently.
92 posted on 07/01/2003 9:09:34 AM PDT by RussianConservative (Hristos: the Light of the World)
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Well, you want to get insulting then....
OK, lets talk about Constantinople....and how the Crusaders SACKED the most holy city of the EAST...and how they SLAUGHTERED the ORTHODOX FAITHFUL in Jerusalem?

The fact is your Popes, from the Borgias, and forward, were bloodthirsty, fornicating, and ungodly Princes, who could have cared LESS for the salvation of the world, as much as they cared for their own wealth and power.

Throughout history, the ROMAN CHURCH has raped, slaughtered and pillaged in the name of God, and all the postering and apologies in the world won't wash it away.
93 posted on 07/01/2003 9:11:23 AM PDT by TexConfederate1861 ("better the turban of the Sultan, than the tiara of the Pope!")
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To: RussianConservative
Notice how Christian W. CATHOLIC Europe is? Not much.

Okay. Shall we compare the number of Christian Marriages in Western Europe with Orthodox Europe? How about the number of Infant Baptisms? Do the Orthodox average three to four nfant Baptisms per Christian Marriage, as do the Catholics in most of Western Europe?

I've travelled all over Western Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republci, Italy, Austria, France). The Churches were generally full on Sunday, much to my surprise.

There are no "Catholic nations" anymore, just like there are no "Orthodox nations". This is a sad result of socialism's triumph.

94 posted on 07/01/2003 9:12:58 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: MarMema
Nonresponsive.

Such unity is not brought about or established by any human authority or juridical power, but by God alone.
What's that to do with the price of tea in China? The authority of my Church is dependant on, and instituted by God alone. Human authority? Nope, don't see any here ... neither Priests, nor Bishops, nor Patriarchs, nor the Pope exercise human authority.

Try again. Or try apologising.

95 posted on 07/01/2003 9:13:55 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard
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To: MarMema
These things are all idle talk. You are speaking of politics and worldly unity. Your church is grounded in this life, ours in the next; yours in quantity, ours in quality; yours in media shows, ours in solitude and humility.

Thank God for 10,000 or even ten who carry on strongly, as you say.

Ahhh ... better 10,000 faithful Orthodox than 100,000,000 faithful Catholics. Christ is certainly pleased by this.

What a bunch of crapola.

I rather think Christ would have 100,000,000 souls who just made it to heaven by the skin of their teeth, than 10,000 great mystic saints and 99,990,000 Muslims lost forever because they knew not Christ, and their great mystic saint neighbors didn't think to share Him with them.

96 posted on 07/01/2003 9:16:42 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: Aquinasfan
Read Matthew 18:18, and Ephesians 2:20....

He gave that power to ALL the Apostles...not just Peter
97 posted on 07/01/2003 9:16:52 AM PDT by TexConfederate1861 ("better the turban of the Sultan, than the tiara of the Pope!")
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To: Aquinasfan
Read Matthew 18:18, and Ephesians 2:20....

He gave that power to ALL the Apostles...not just Peter
98 posted on 07/01/2003 9:17:46 AM PDT by TexConfederate1861 ("better the turban of the Sultan, than the tiara of the Pope!")
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Really? I travelled and lived in Germany, I there for 2 years. Been to France, Austria, Italy, Czeck and many other places....hmmm says much Italy has lowest birth rate of Europe. Except for Bavaria, most Germany churchs empty or partial fill. Abortion is everywhere. Euthenasia in Belgium and Denmark. Gay rights. Funny how Islam is leading religion in many south French cities...hmmm. Except for tourists, most Parisian gothic cathedrials empty. Russian birth rate now up 18% over last 3 years, abortions down 22%. Let us talk reality.

Or maybe you miss Pope's speech to Italians about dieing Italian nation?

99 posted on 07/01/2003 9:19:58 AM PDT by RussianConservative (Hristos: the Light of the World)
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To: RussianConservative
Sorry, but we don't bend our knee to tyranny and turn blind eye in self serving "obedience" to earthly authority. We derive our law from God and we bend our knee to Christ no one else.

I'm sorry you feel that way, since Christ's words through St. Peter are quite specific: we are to submit to all Earthly authority except when such submission would conflict with our duty to God. Since you refuse to obey that command, you are outside of the Will of God. I'll pray for you, though, and ask for your prayers in return.

In the end, every schism boils down to “Nobody's going to tell us what to do” -- in other words, to Pride. Pride was Lucifer's sin; it was Adam's, too. Pride will send us all to hell if we do not conquer it!

Yours in Christian fraternity,

100 posted on 07/01/2003 9:20:03 AM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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