While the Eastern design did achieve unity through diversity, we must never forget that it was a Pope who saved the East from falling into several fatal heresies. Let's not forget that Eastern greats such as +Chrysostomos, +Maximos the Confessor, etc. found refuge in papal Orthodoxy.
Clearly, the internal organization of the churches in the west and the east did not constitute problems. The language did, and so did the political realities. Our division is theological first and foremost. It may very well be that one day a Great Council will show that one of us was in error of some kind or at least in deception or some other kind of omission. It wouldn't be the first time. The Church never errs as a whole, but its parts do, because the Cbhurch is mad eup of sinners. There is no shame if one honestly tries and honestly fails. On the other hand, we may come to see that our divisions were our own pride and arrogance and, once stripped of them, we may humbly see more clearly that neither side was in error. That is a minor concern of mine, to be hoenst with you because the very foundations of our beliefs are one and the same, even to intricate details. I never thought I would see that, but I do now, thanks to our Protestant friends here. Until such Council is a reality, we need to live with our differences, but always cognizant of our foundation, which makes us one, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
For such a Council to be even called, we need to agree on the papal jurisdiction when it comes to other particular Churches within the Church. +Benedict XVI is set on discussing this matter, and he is ready to make the Latin Church more patristic, even if it means a smaller Church, which is precisely the patristic attitude.
I think the beginning of the end of schism is perception that we are (if not completely but almost completely) one faith, when we recognize the same theology, and that is becoming more and more obvious with ever-increasing exchange of our views officially and unofficially, as we learn more and more the traps of language and details of our separate but parallel development. It is clear that +Benedict XVI is steering the Church towards patristic roots and traditions of the Church, when East and West were mere geographical locations.
I just pray that his nerve, and his health hold out.
Thank you for your understanding.
Very well put, Kosta. It seems here, in a very small way, we have made progress on the commission given to us from +Batholomeus and +JPII to talk to each other and in brotherly love come to understand each other. I believe that the hierarchs have been doing that for sometime now and that is why the discussions at that level have moved on the the appropriate function of the Petrine Office. But for a bunch of amateurs, I think we've played our small part here and will continue to do so.
Christ is Born!