The Times of London reports today:
The Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches took tentative steps towards healing their 950-year rift yesterday by drafting a joint document that acknowledges the primacy of the Pope.
The 46-paragraph “Ravenna Document”, written by a special commission of Catholic and Orthodox officials, envisages a reunified church in which the Pope could be the most senior patriarch among the various Orthodox churches.
Just as Pope John Paul II was driven by the desire to bring down Communism, so Pope Benedict XVI hopes passionately to see the restoration of a unified Church. Although he is understood to favour closer relations with traditional Anglicans, the Anglican Communion is unlikely to be party to the discussions because of its ordination of women and other liberal practices.
Unification with the Orthodox churches could ultimately limit the authority of the Pope, lessening the absolute power that he currently enjoys within Catholicism. In contrast, a deal would greatly strengthen the Patriarch of Constantinople in his dealings with the Muslim world and the other Orthodox churches.
Wow. Read the full article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2880038.ece
3 responses so far ↓
Eric // November 17, 2007 at 12:26 am
The trouble is that the Roman Catholic Church did not exist until the 300’s when Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. Also, the claim that Jesus put the authority of the Church under one mans leadership by claiming that the Rock is Peter in Matt 16:18 is a great example of faulty interpretation of scripture. This is evidenced by many examples but I will give just one. The Council at Jerusalem recorded in the book of Acts shows James, “Jesus’” half brother ruling, not Peter. I also find it utterly strange that Peter’s supposed successors took over the name of the Pagan Emperors of Rome, “Pontifex Maximus” , which is why the Pope is called the Pontiff. This is not at all surprising however, as the Popes have even given themselves the blasphemous name of “Holy Father”! Jesus prayed to his Holy Father, now how in the world is the Pope, a man, to be bowed to and called the Holy Father? It’s time that Roman Catholics around the world “wake up”!
mykhayl // November 18, 2007 at 11:03 am
And how is this to aid Istanbul in the Church when the Pope will be the first amongst equals not Constantinople?
Eric which pulpit you coming from?
HWC // January 18, 2008 at 6:25 am
Just an FYI, the is a new book on Eastern Orthodoxy that looks pretty good.
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