Together with pope, ecumenical patriarch addresses synod for first time (in history)

Asia News ^ | October 18, 2008

[NYer]

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, patriarch Bartholomew, at far right seated, prays with Pope Benedict XVI, at far left, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Saturday Oct. 18, 2008.

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Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew is calling it "an historic event," after being the first to speak to the bishops of the Catholic Church gathered for a synod. For his part, Benedict XVI said, "Your fathers are also our fathers, and ours are yours: if we have the same fathers, how can we not be brothers?" Behind the two of them, who were seated on chairs of equal size, the depiction of the last judgment in the Sistine Chapel.

It was in the most famous of the chapels in the apostolic palace, in fact, that this afternoon the first vespers for the 29th Sunday of ordinary time were celebrated, "on the occasion of the participation of ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew I in the work of the 12th assembly of the synod of bishops." "At this moment, we have truly experienced the synod," the pope commented, speaking spontaneously at the end of the extensive address by the patriarch. "Hearing the word of God," he added, "also opens one's eyes to the realities of today," and the "fathers" of the synod "will continue their work illuminated by the words" of Bartholomew.

The patriarch of Constantinople, after speaking of the "historic event" because of his very presence at the synod, expressed his hope of arriving one day at "full unity" between Orthodox and Catholics, overcoming the current differences and agreeing "fully over the role of primacy and collegiality in the life of the Church." Bartholomew also indicated some concrete objectives: "as disciples of God," he added, "it is more imperative than ever to present a single perspective, beyond social, political, and economic views, on the need to uproot poverty, promote equilibrium in the globalized world, combat fundamentalism and racism, and develop religious tolerance in a world of conflict."

[kosta50]

I belive that contacts between “experts” brought little or nothing to ecumanical cause

It' because they are just patting each other on the back while enjoying un-apostolic pomp and cericumstance. The hierarchy needs to steap down from their ivory towers and actually do something at more than an evolutionary pace. They make me sick with their royal pagentry. And that goes for both East and West.

And I thing that, as you said, it is right time to let people and lower clergy meet and discuss the issue

Maybe that's too dengerous in eyes of the "experts."

[kosta50]

cericumstance=circumstance

[Cronos]

Benedict XVI said, "Your fathers are also our fathers, and ours are yours: if we have the same fathers, how can we not be brothers?" Behind the two of them, who were seated on chairs of equal size

Nice touch

[Cronos]

I don’t know — is it wise to have sensitive discussions broadcast? though perhaps it is only by talking and discussing civilly with each other that we can truly understand and move closer.

[kosta50]

I don’t know — is it wise to have sensitive discussions broadcast?

Is it any more senstitive than broadcasting of the Pope's visit to the EP? The picture of the two of them holding hands up in the air became iconic and probably did more than all the discussions done in private to bring the laity of the West and the East to feel closer than ever.

[NYer]

The picture of the two of them holding hands up in the air became iconic and probably did more than all the discussions done in private to bring the laity of the West and the East to feel closer than ever.

Good point. It's healthy for both the west and east to see them together, be it in prayer or at an extraordinary event such as this synod. There is much ignorance in the west about the east. In his Epiphany homily last night, the pastor reminded us that the "Church" is Eastern .. it was born in Jerusalem and spread from there. From time to time I remind fellow Catholics of this fact. I ask them a simple question - where was Peter between the time he was in Jerusalem and Rome. Most are clueless; they have no idea he served as Bishop of Antioch. If anything, such news becomes an epiphany for them ;-)

Kolokotronis posted a link to the Patriarch's presentation on another thread that I can't locate at this moment. Here is a link to the Vatican's site:

SPEECH BY THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I

It's a wonderful speech. Enjoy!

[kosta50]

In his Epiphany homily last night, the pastor reminded us that the "Church" is Eastern .. it was born in Jerusalem and spread from there

The roots are eastern, but the Church is also western. The problem is perhaps it became "too western." When this happens to the East, we turn back to the roots. I think the Pope is trying to do the same thing. However, the damage done in the last 40 years seems almost insurmountable.

[Cronos]

However, the damage done in the last 40 years seems almost insurmountable

I'm going to repeat a cliche, but it's a good one: "Nothing is impossible for God"