Russian Orthodox Church, Vatican Ready for Collaboration

RIA Novosti ^ | 11/12/13

[marshmallow]

MOSCOW, November 13 (RIA Novosti) – The head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a powerful Roman Catholic Church cardinal on Tuesday voiced readiness for collaboration ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis on November 25.

“We live at an epoch when many of our historic differences should stop playing the critical role they have played in relations between our churches. We have very many common commitments and common goals,” Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill said at a meeting with Milan Archbishop Angelo Scola.

Relations between the two churches have been strained over a few issues that have prevented the churches’ leaders from meeting. The Moscow Patriarchate has in particular accused the Vatican of trying to lead believers away from the Russian Church – an accusation the Roman Catholics have denied.

Patriarch Kirill also said at the Moscow meeting that both churches have been concerned about the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as in Europe, where “pressure is exerted on Christians under the mottos of tolerance and multiculturalism.”

[wonkowasright]

Good.

And with luck a united church may soon emerge. There is nothing more feared by those who oppose Christ than a united Church.

[DesertRhino]

A united church would be wonderful. But a united church should mean all branches of Christianity treat each other respectfully and pursue the same goal, not that they all should bow to Rome.

The “one church” stories always seem to be the RCC wishing everyone would recognize them as the true church and defer to them.

What I would like to see is Protestants not running around trying to cast the Catholic church as an authoritarian foreign cult. And id like to see the Catholics quit acting like Protestants are lost, misguided, or rebellious heretics.
When all Christians can do this, we can stop the downward spiral of society. When our government attacks Christians, they tend to attack small groups, Catholic hospitals, Protestant Chaplains, etc etc. If the whole body of Christianity responded to an attack on one branch, it would have a powerful effect.

[RobbyS]

The visionaries at Fatima prophesized that Russia would be converted. Would it not be divine humor if Russia were to bring Christ back to the west?

[kearnyirish2]

“And with luck a united church may soon emerge. There is nothing more feared by those who oppose Christ than a united Church.”

If the Church is to be united it will start between the Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church; unlike Protestants and other assorted Christians, Orthodox Christians are welcome to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.