Ecumenical breakthrough with Moscow? An interview with the Archbishop of Cyprus.

Rorate Caeli Blog (as translated from the Papa Ratzinger Blog) ^ | June 9, 2007 | New Catholic

[Frank Sheed]

Ecumenical breakthrough with Moscow?
An interview with the Archbishop of Cyprus

The words of the Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, in the following interview published in the current edition of the Italian weekly L'Espresso, seem to indicate that a future meeting of Pope Benedict XVI and the Patriarch of Moscow is almost certain. The mediator is none other than Chrysostomos himself, who reveals the current positions of those involved in the ecumenical discussions.

The interviewer itself is quite ignorant of some details, including the fact that the Assisi interreligious meetings did not help at all the ecumenical relationship with the Eastern Orthodox (or discussions with Traditionalists in the Latin Church...). The main excerpts:

I will take Pope Ratzinger to Moscow

A conversation with Chrysostomos II

by Gigi Riva

The Archbishop of Cyprus speaks; the great weaver of the operation for the meeting between the two Churches; at the eve of his Vatican visit. (...)

It was necessary to go to Nicosia to find the man who will try to put Pope Benedict XVI and Russian Patriarch Alexis II one before the other. His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II will leave the Mediterranean island on June 12 for a journey which will take him to Rome (up to the 17th) and then to Moscow on the next day. Declared objective: to establish the bases for the historic meeting which remained in the dreams of John Paul II. (...)

Archbishop Chrysostomos II, word is spreading that you will be the mediator of the meeting between Rome and Moscow. And the itinerary of your journey is quite eloquent.

"A preamble: I myself have asked to see the pope and I thank him for the opportunity. We wish to help him in every way to improve the relationship between both Churches because we are the children of the same Father. I would be glad if he accepted the offer."

Are there conditions, today, for the meeting with Alexis II?

"Every time is a good time, because the goal is that of doing what is best for both Churches. It is clear that it is not a meeting that is assembled in 24 hours. First, it is necessary to exchange delegates, to put the theologians to work. In sum, it is necessary to prepare the event so that it will be a success. I am ready to provide my contribution. I will make what is possible to make them meet -- them and the Churches.

Have you had the chance to hear Alexis II's opinion about it?

"I am very close to him, and I am a good friend of his. I believe I can affirm that there are not any problems even for him. When there are good intentions, the obstacles are overcome."

John Paul II tried to overcome them, but found himself before unsurmountable difficulties. Moreover, he was considered as more favorable to interreligious dialogue than Pope Ratzinger. He was the one who promoted the Assisi meetings.

"During the pontificate of John Paul II, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger had maybe a different way of regarding matters. But in the present position he has another responsibility. He is the Pope. And, let us not forget it, he is a theologian Pope. He knows Greek theology well and this helps in the dialogue between the Churches. (...)

"... This is really the right time [for a reunification] for several reasons. There is a Pope who deeply knows Greek theology. On the other hand, a Patriarch of Constantinople open to ecumenical dialogue. (...) The great part of Catholics and Orthodox and inside the same common Europe. The reasons are manifold. What is important is that the reunification be not imposed from above, but shared by the people, by the faithful, so that it may be complete and may work."

Tip: Papa Ratzinger.

posted by New Catholic at 3:16 PM  

[Frank Sheed]

Hopeful sign?

[Frank Sheed]

Please Ping your lists for Orthodox/Catholic rapprochement.

[Kolokotronis]

“He knows Greek theology well and this helps in the dialogue between the Churches. (...)

“... This is really the right time [for a reunification] for several reasons. There is a Pope who deeply knows Greek theology.”

This, FS, is of primary significance.

[Frank Sheed]

This story would seem to call for profound prayer. We also need to get this message out to those on this board who might be interested. I hope this gets widely seen.

F

[Frank Sheed]

Orthodox/Catholic rapprochement ping...

[Nihil Obstat]

wow, wonder where they would meet

[Kolokotronis]

Orthodox ping!

[vladimir998]

This gives me goosebumps!

[redhead]

"This story would seem to call for profound prayer."

Praying heartily...

[Theophane]

This is indeed a very hopeful development, and it is interesting that Vladyka conveys a certain sense of urgency about this, perhaps not just because of the Holy Father’s age. I may have picked up the thought from Soloviev, but it has seemed to me for some time that in order to overcome the accumulated distrust, egoism, philetism, pride and other faults of both sides, what will be required is that a truly drastic emergency situation present itself to the parties. Then will they pray together, fully (i.e. eucharistically).

If I may be permitted a personal anecdote on these lines: when my younger son was lying in UCLA Hospital after his automobile accident, various persons, many of whom seemed to be non-denominational chaplains or the like, came up to us and offered to pray with us for our son’s survival. You can be assured that we took everyone up on his or her offer—when one is desperate one does not ask for theological nicety from one who wants to assist.

[Frank Sheed]

Moving story! I pray that this does progress! Lord knows we need each other!

[kosta50]

What is important is that the reunification be not imposed from above, but shared by the people, by the faithful, so that it may be complete and may work

Which is why we must work on our level to see past our own preconceived notions and think outside our narrow boxes.

[Petrosius]

Which is why we must work on our level to see past our own preconceived notions and think outside our narrow boxes.

See, that is my problem. When I was a kid I always had more fun playing with the boxes that with the toys that came in them. : )

[kosta50]

When I was a kid I always had more fun playing with the boxes that with the toys that came in them. : )

We all still do, Ftaher. They are safe on all four corners.

[adiaireton8]

I agree with your thesis. My concern is that the emergency situation will be the outbreak of widespread and severe antiChristian hostility and persecution.

-A8

[RKBA Democrat]

“I may have picked up the thought from Soloviev, but it has seemed to me for some time that in order to overcome the accumulated distrust, egoism, philetism, pride and other faults of both sides, what will be required is that a truly drastic emergency situation present itself to the parties. Then will they pray together, fully (i.e. eucharistically).”

I’m reminded of a movie from about 20 years ago where a girl was given a credit card by her father to be used “only in an emergency”. She finds herself hitchhiking with a friend in the middle of nowhere, stranded, and in a torrential downpour. She’s reluctant to use the credit card, because it was supposed to be used only in case of emergency. Her sopping wet friend turns to her and asks her that if an emergency does come along, to please let him know.

In much the same way, I wonder at what point do we acknowledge that we’re in something of an emergency? The birthrates in Europe, particularly eastern Europe, are mid crash. Christians are being persecuted in more countries than I care to remember. The culture of death is running amok. Etc., etc.

So at what point *do* some of the theological niceties get put aside temporarily for the sake of mutual preservation?

I pray that this latest rapprochement bears fruit.

[Kolokotronis]

“So at what point *do* some of the theological niceties get put aside temporarily for the sake of mutual preservation?”

That’s a real good question, RKBAD! Of course the problem is that 1% of theology which aren’t simply “niceties”. Well, there is another problem. +BXVI is extrordinary. We in Orthodoxy haven’t seen the likes of him for over 1000 years and most of us, I’ll venture, really like what we see and hear. But who will be next? What are the chances that this pope, whom I think will be thought of as a Father of The Church (putting to rest that awful Western notion that the patristic age ended many, many centuries ago), will be followed by another such as him? I know that it can be argued that reunion cannot be dependent on a single man, but you know, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time one man sitting in Rome especially, or one hierarch somewhere else, actually did make all the difference.

[kosta50]

I know that it can be argued that reunion cannot be dependent on a single man

Of course it does. Actually, the world bears the burden of death because of one man's decision, and the world was saved by the Second Adam. Everything that was done in the world was done by individuals, so each and every one of us bears the same responsibility for giving in or resisting evil.

Would the Church be what it is without Moses or the BEV Mary or without SS Peter and Paul? Or without other Apostles? Without St. Ignatius, or St. Justin the Martyr, and countless others?

The important thing is that we all do what is right. God gives us blessings and it is up to us to use them correctly to bless others. Here is this Pope who is patristic. If we don't do what is right, he cannot do it on his own.

[Frank Sheed]

It is in all our benefit that the Lord protect Pope Benedict XVI with the Holy Spirit and allow him to accomplish that for which he was chosen. God willing, he will have many more fruitful years and accomplish incredible things.

Ad multos annos!
F