Pope and Patriarch to join in talks?

Catholic/Orthodox theological discussions have frequently been derailed by various issues embedded in the complex history of eastern/western relations. Part of the problem is that both Catholic and Orthodox interlocutors are divided within their own communions regarding all that is at stake in the dialogues. For example, Orthodox Bishop HILARION of Vienna was decidedly opposed to language pertaining to the proper understanding of hierarchy in the Church proposed by Orthodox Metropolitan JOHN of Pergamum in a most recent gathering.

Nonetheless, this recent news indicates that the profile of these talks may rise considerably -- even if the substance remains controversial.

Constantinople, Dec. 4, 2006 (CWNews.com and AsiaNews Service) - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has disclosed that he made an important, concrete proposal for Orthodox-Catholic cooperation during his November 30 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.

Speaking to the Italian daily Avvenire after the conclusion of the Pope’s trip to Turkey, the Orthodox leader said that he could not disclose the nature of the suggestion he had made, but reported that the Pope seemed quite interested. He said that he is now “waiting for an official response.”


Read it all on Directions to Orthodoxy.