I find the discussion of the Catholic confrontation with Pentacostalism to be significantly less interesting than this movement on the ecumenical dialogue between East and West -- and the potential for bringing an end to the millennium-old scandal that is the Great Schism.

Kasper opened his remarks by updating the cardinals and cardinal-designates on an important new document approved by a Vatican-Orthodox theological commission that has been working to heal the 1,000-year schism between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

In the document, Catholic and Orthodox representatives both agreed that the pope has primacy over all bishops _ although they disagreed over just what authority that primacy gives him.

The development is significant since the Great Schism of 1054 _ which split the Catholic and Orthodox churches _ was precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.

Kasper told the cardinals that the document was an "important turning point," since it marked the first time that Orthodox churches had agreed there is a universal level of the church, that it has a primate, and that according to ancient church practice, that primate is the bishop of Rome _ the pope.

This hardly means that we are going to wake up some morning and find that the Orthodox and Catholics have suddenly united. What it does mean, however, is that the two sides are making progress on one of the two or three biggest issues that divide these two ancient streams of Christianity. There is still a long way to go before full communion can be reestablished -- but I'd argue that we are closer to that than at any time since 1054, and that is a sign of hope for all Christians. After all the divisions within the body of Christ are a disgrace based upon human weakness and pride, not the will of God.

Posted by: Greg at 03:49 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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