Ecumenism: December 2005 Archives

Cardinal Husar has big dreams

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The head of the Ukranian Greek-Catholics believes the Orthodox and Catholic Christians of the Ukraine can unite.

He noted that ‘the unity of Churches is possible. This is not a fantasy, not an unattainable dream. It is a condition we can achieve, but how is a big question’.

While noting that Christians in Ukraine are divided dogmatically and canonically, he emphasized the need to realize that ‘we all are human beings whatever confession we may belong to, whatever canonical injunctions we may confess’.

I love his optimism, but he's got a tough row to hoe.

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A Protestant in Taize

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Otto Selles, a professor at Calvin College, took a group of 19 students to visit the Taize community in France. Christianity today published his reflections, which include some quotes from his students.

"When the singing started," said Ryan Poling, a 20-year-old junior from Chicago, "I sat there and let the soothing melodies wash over me. I added my own voice, too, and before I knew it, I was among only four other singers, three-and-a half hours later. It felt too soon to leave."

The article is interesting in that it's from a perspective that isn't wholly in love with Catholicism, although there is no open hostility.

UPDATE: I should note that Taize is an interfaith community. Although the worship services are Catholic Masses, the community members are of many different Christian denominations. Thanks, Brandon!

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Benny to Bart

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Here is the text of the Pope's message to Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople to celebrate the feast of St. Andrew. The Pope had hoped to visit Constantinople on this date, but that didn't quite pan out.

To His Holiness Bartholomew I Archbishop of Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarch

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!

My love to all of you in Christ Jesus " (1 Cor 16:23-24).

It is with great joy that I write to Your Holiness on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew, apostle and brother of Saint Peter
The delegation which I send to you, led by the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, brings you the warmest fraternal greetings of the Church of Rome. While I myself would have wished to be present to assure you personally of my affection for you in the Lord and to pray with you, I nevertheless convey my fervent hope for an even deeper communion which will overcome those obstacles remaining between us and enable us to celebrate together the Holy Eucharist, the one sacrifice of Christ for the life of the world.

This year we commemorate the Fortieth Anniversary of 7 December 1965, that day on which Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, dissatisfied with what had occurred in 1054, decided together at Rome and Constantinople "to cancel from the Church’s memory the sentence of ex-communication which had been pronounced". That momentous event became the basis of a renewed relationship marked by reciprocal respect and reconciliation. We remember with joy the inspiring words pronounced that day in the Cathedral of the Phanar by the beloved Patriarch Athenagoras : "God is Love (1 Jn 4:9): love is the God-given mark of the disciples of Christ, the power which gathers in unity the Church, and the source of its peace, harmony and order, as a perpetual and brilliant manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit" (Response to The Common Declaration, 7 December 1965).

Indeed, this cancellation marked the beginning of a new season of ecclesial life, a season of dialogue, which has seen significant progress yet remains challenged to continue the rigorous pursuit of its much cherished goals. In this regard, it is a source of great satisfaction to me that after a pause of some years our theological dialogue begins once again. I pray that it will indeed be fruitful and am confident that no effort will be spared to make it so. He who puts his hand to the plough must not turn back (cf. Lk 9:62). Rather, he must persevere and bring his work to completion, sowing the seed and awaiting the abundant harvest that God in his goodness will provide. Attentive then to what the Spirit says to the needs of the Churches today and in the future, I assure Your Holiness and the Holy Synod, and through you all the Orthodox Churches, that the Catholic Church remains irrevocably committed to promoting all suitable and helpful initiatives to strengthen charity, solidarity and theological dialogue between us.

In the joy of the Feast of Saint Andrew, Holy Guardian of the Church of Constantinople, I renew to Your Holiness my fraternal love and send you my warm greetings in the embrace of peace.

From the Vatican, 26 November 2005
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

Text courtesy of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

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About this Archive

This page is a archive of entries in the Ecumenism category from December 2005.

Ecumenism: November 2005 is the previous archive.

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