BOLOGNA, Italy, NOV. 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- In a message to the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople, Benedict XVI renewed his intention to continue on the path of Christian unity.
The message to Patriarch Bartholomew I also stated that the Pope hoped to travel soon to Istanbul, Turkey, headquarters of the Orthodox patriarchate.
The papal message was read by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, during the Byzantine-rite vespers he presided over Saturday in the Basilica of St. Petronius in Bologna. On hand was Archbishop Carlo Caffarra of
Bologna.
Patriarch Bartholomew I, the “first among equals” of the Orthodox Church, traveled to Italy at the invitation of the University of Bologna, to receive an honorary doctorate for “Conservation of
Cultural Goods.” The honor was conferred on him Saturday.
Benedict XVI in his message congratulated the patriarch for this “opportune” recognition of “Your Holiness’ action to promote the growth in public opinion of the understanding of the values proper of creation, work of God, manifestation of his freedom, wisdom and love.”
The Pope invited the Orthodox patriarch “to intensify all efforts to journey toward the full unity of all the disciples of Christ.”
In his message, the Roman Pontiff expressed his “joyful” hope to “meet personally, when God wills,” with the ecumenical patriarch in his See of Constantinople.
Bartholomew I, with jurisdiction over some 200 million faithful worldwide, invited the Pope to visit Istanbul at the beginning of his pontificate. The Turkish government echoed this invitation; the visit is expected to take place next year.
Source of hope
In the message read by Cardinal Etchegaray, the Pope renewed his commitment to dedicate himself “to the holy cause of promoting Christian unity, which Your Holiness bears so profoundly in his heart.”
In the homily delivered during vespers, Bartholomew I expressed “the desire to meet soon personally” with the Pope.
The patriarch of Constantinople referred to the “permanent division” between Orthodox and Catholics as “a motive of great sorrow for our heart as Christians,” but at the same time he said that it is a “source of great hope to see that so many steps are being taken, above all through knowledge, friendship and reciprocal collaboration.”
In particular, he stressed the need of Catholics and Orthodox to give common testimony of the Gospel before a “modern society which increasingly moves away from the theocentric vision of life, denying in fact our divine origin and the object of our existence, which is found in Jesus, the risen God-Man.”
Perhaps “Christ’s Vicar on Earth” and the “Ecumenical Patriarch” can further bond by discussing their shared admiration and public praise of Fidel Castro.
Just so everyone is clear: Patriarch Bartholomew does not have jurisdiction over all Orthodox. If he unilaterally declares union with Rome, he risks being deposed by the other Patriarchs for his actions. He is first among equals only if he is acting in acord with the Church. IMO, he is acting out an age old pattern in the Constantinople Patriarchate when it is under heavy pressure, i.e., try to pull rank with other Patriarchs and Bishops while appealing to the west for closer ties.
The unwillingness of many in the west to recognize the huge ecclesial difference that exists between Rome and we Orthodox is one of the causes for misunderstanding that helps the dis-union to persist.
If union does come, it will not come from the top down. It will come from the bottom up. So, all you Roman Catholics out there, if you want union, find some Orthodox folk, make friends, attend some liturgies and vespers with them, share your faith and listen while they share theirs. If you are so moved, pray the psalms together as an expression of thanksgiving to our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ, find ways to act together as an expression of your faith in the community. Avoid rancorous theological discussions but do share why being a Catholic is so important to you, how and why it gives meaning to your life and listen in return. A word of warning–if you follow my advice you may well find re-union but on a strictly personal level.
I give the same advice to any Orthodox who sincerely believe that Rome’s re-union with us is of overriding importance. Of course a prerequisite of this approach is a personal, practical knowledge and experience of one’s own faith and practice. It also requires finding a like party on the “other side” to communicate with. However, if you are being led by the Holy Spirit and not by your own will and agenda, you will find such folk.
Re-union is not a panacea to fight the world, faith in Jesus Christ’s victory and living out His commandments is. We do not have to be re-unified to do that. In fact, false re-unification would only make our task even harder.
As for me, I pray the words of Psalm 68 (western numbering)1-4: “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked parish at the presence of God. Bet let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name, extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” KJV
Happy Thanksgiving.
Unity: we would welcome all Catholics back to our church.