A joint theological commission of Roman Catholic and Orthodox clerics and theologians has concluded 10 days of meetings in the United States, but was unable to resolve a controversy that has been brewing between the two churches since the end of the Cold War.The meeting of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, held at Mount St Mary’s College and Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland from July 9 to 19, centered on the controversy over the Eastern Catholic churches that are linked to the Pope, but practice Eastern liturgy, similar to Orthodox rites.The Orthodox Church views these churches as a threat to its existence, while for centuries the Roman Catholic Church viewed the Eastern Catholic churches as a possible “bridge” between Orthodoxy and the Latin church. However in recent years Rome has begun to modify its views.A statement issued on July 19 said that agreement could not be reached on “the basic concept of uniatism,” prohibiting a joint declaration on the issue. (The Orthodox Church commonly refers to the Eastern Catholic churches as “Uniates,” but the use of the word is vigorously rejected by the churches themselves.)According to the statement, the theme discussed during the plenary was the “Ecclesiological and Canonical Implications of Uniatism.”The statement added that documents touching upon “theological aspects and practical guidelines were met with some reserve and even outright opposition, sometimes from each side.”As a result, the statement said, “it was felt necessary to continue the reflection by the Joint Commission in order to find common understanding on this extremely thorny question.”Calling the discussions “far-reaching, intense, and thorough” and touching upon “many theological and canonical questions connected with the existence and the activities of the Eastern Catholic Churches,” the commission opted “for further study of the theological, pastoral, historical, and canonical aspects related to this issue.””Despite all the difficulties the commission hopes that through this process it will be able to develop further its quest for full communion between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.”At a news conference after the meeting—the commission’s first gathering in North America—Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, the Orthodox co-chair, said the leaders were a “little saddened” that that they had been unable to create a common document, but did feel they had “achieved a common knowledge of each other.””We have come to a certain point where we can state some points commonly. We now have to wait a while to breathe,” Archbishop Stylianos told reporters.Cardinal Edward Cassidy, the Roman Catholic co-chair and president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, who is also from Australia, said the eventual goal of unity between the two churches “is not one easy to discuss and to be able to find an easy solution to. At the same time it’s a very vital question for the relationship between our churches and to restore unity.”The controversy over the Eastern Catholic churches has grown in the last ten years because, since the fall of communism, they have been campaigning for ownership of church properties which were taken from them by communist governments and, in many cases, given to Orthodox churches. For the Orthodox Church, however, the mere existence of the Eastern Catholic churches is offensive. Another sensitive issue for the Orthodox Church is the growth of Roman Catholicism in parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in and close to Russia.The Baltimore gathering was the eighth plenary session of the Joint International Commission, which began its work in 1980. Previous meetings were held in Munich (1982), Crete (1984), Bari (1986 and 1987), Valamo, Finland (1988), Freising, Germany (1990), and Balamand, Lebanon (1993).The historic meeting included a wide geographic representation, with Catholic archbishops, bishops and scholars from the United States, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Poland, and Romania taking part.Orthodox metropolitans, bishops and scholars represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Moscow and Romania, as well as the Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Poland, Finland, and Estonia.
Copyright © 2000 ENIChristianity Today has covered several stories about the Catholic Church’s ecumenical efforts to reconcile with other denominations including the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church:At Historic Service, Polish Church Leaders Ask Pardon For Past Mistakes | Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran heads apologize for egoism and indifference. (Mar. 15, 2000) Lutheran-Catholic Declaration “Better Way” of Dialogue, Says Vatican | But senior ecumenism official plays down hope for extension of document itself. (Dec. 5, 1999)The full text of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. (December 2,1999) Reformation Day Celebrations Ain’t What They Used to Be | The Lutheran-Catholic Justification Declaration is a good step, but it’s only a beginning. (Dec. 2, 1999)Visit the Russian Orthodox Church‘s official site to read commentary on what was discussed at the last Orthodox Catholic dialogue in 1997.Or read the entire Orthodox and Vatican Agreement decided in Balamand, Lebanon, in 1993.For background on some of the insults that have been traded back and forth over the issue of Uniatism, visit this ENI story which includes historical perspective dating back to the Union of Brest in 1596 when the Orthodox Metropolitan of Kiev joined the Roman Catholic Church and was granted permission to retain the Orthodox liturgy.
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