[dangus]

>> Why am I writing this way? I am hoping that our Eastern brothers will begin to sense the truth of their position. <<

I’m afraid you don’t get it. There are many here who desire no union. Do you not notice that while pictures of clown masses are used to end all arguments, those same people make no suggestion that a return to the Gregorian Mass would facilitate reunion? Indeed, the 1848 letter and the 1437 rejection of the Florentine Council took place before even the Tridentine mass. Instead, we get demands that Rome exalt Constantinople over Alexandria. Fortunately, the Pope and several patriarchs have better relations.

[jo kus]

I’m afraid you don’t get it. There are many here who desire no union. Do you not notice that while pictures of clown masses are used to end all arguments, those same people make no suggestion that a return to the Gregorian Mass would facilitate reunion? Indeed, the 1848 letter and the 1437 rejection of the Florentine Council took place before even the Tridentine mass. Instead, we get demands that Rome exalt Constantinople over Alexandria. Fortunately, the Pope and several patriarchs have better relations.

I believe I have exposed the strawman argument on why there won't be a reunion. It has little to do with theology and everything to do with the perceived wrongs felt and attitudes of the Eastern laity. The Eastern bishops don't help, with "encyclicals" as posted on this thread. I know many do not desire union, and that is my point. If THEY do not desire it, we are merely in for a replay of Florence. Some revisionist historian will again blame the West, maybe poison another Metropolitan or some other invention to stoke the fires of hatred in Russia. Rest assured that unless the Eastern laity walk the walk rather than just talk it, we are not even going to get a fair hearing.

Regards