Orthodox Bishop: Catholics on Same Side
According to a Russian Orthodox bishop, "We (Orthodox and Catholics) are on the same side of the divide." This, according to a recent article. The Russian bishop is speaking of the liberalization of the mainline Protestant churches, with whom Orthodoxy used to actively engage in ecumenical talks. Now, this Orthodox bishop is questioning how much Orthodox Christians have in common with modern-day mainline Protestantism, which evolved rapidly during the last century.
This article is a positive step forward in my opinion, because an Orthodox bishop is publicly recognizing that Catholics and Orthodox have so much in common, echoing the views of the late John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Our current secular backdrop (including the secularization of the mainlines) especially highlights common Catholic and Orthodox morality and theology. Indeed, Catholics and Orthodox should present a unified moral front even if we don’t agree on all the doctrinal details (although we share so much in common). Where traditional Protestants fit in the bishop does not say. I would be interested to see these thoughts expanded upon. I long for the day when East and West are fully united.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Benedict XVI is very serious about reunion with the Orthodox and sees that as high on his priority list. The Orthodox brethren that I know regard him very highly and see glimmers of hope in his Patristic point of view. One that know said, “He is the most Patristic of Popes in a thousand years.” I don’t know how true that is, but it does point to the thaw.
I don’t know how realistic healing the rift is, but who knows where the Spirit blows? Greater the call for us to pray without ceasing.
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:30 pm
As an Orthodox Christian living in a predominately secularized/Catholic part of the country, I see a nominal (at best) Catholicism every day, which is so thoroughly secular that it alienates me from them. I find the same thing when I go to many ethnic “Orthodox” parishes. As a result of these experiences, I feel strongly that we both need to be bringing our laity into the Mysteries of the Church, into the rhythms of public liturgy and private devotions, so that they can see the uncreated light of the Triune Godhead for themselves, and thus, see the “secular” world transfigured and illuminated with that light.
Without this, it seems to me that a common social agenda for influencing a society that has moved decidedly towards a consciously secular future can only reduce the Church’s witness to that of a secular power playing into the ontology of violence that is part and parcel of secularism, by being merely one (ultimately political and secular) institution among many, only with a “moral agenda,” which, to secularists, can only be known and understood if cast in secular terms.
We are called to be a light in the darkness, a witness, to be Christ in the world, and it is good if secularism brings us towards recognizing parts of a “common mind” we didn’t see before - I want the schism healed very, very badly. But let’s not hasten either into turning our pieces of newly discovered unity into a springboard for lobbying action, nor a political program. Let’s use it as pre-catechetical material to awaken our parishioners from death to life, from darkness to light, from being world-bound to being in union and communion with God.
Am I misguided in saying this? What do you think?
By the way, David, is there a reason you don’t keep your articles posted directly on your typepad page? Are they immediately the property of Typepad or something?