Divisions are the result of sinful action, Francis tells Bartholomew

 — Dec. 1, 20221 déc. 2022

Pope Francis in a message to Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I highlights the need to analyze reasons for the ongoing divisions between the two churches

Pope Francis in a message to Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I has called for a continuous analyzing of the historical and theological reasons for the ongoing divisions between the two Churches “in a spirit that is neither polemical nor apologetic but marked instead by authentic dialogue and mutual openness”.

Francis sent a delegation to Istanbul to convey his greetings and the assurance of his “fraternal affection” to Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of Constantinople. The visit is a long-standing tradition and part of the annual exchange of delegations between the Holy See and the Patriarchate for their respective patronal feasts, on 29 June in Rome, the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, and on 30 November in Istanbul. The pope’s message was read out by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the Patriarchal church of St. George at the Fanar.

The pope in his message said these visits are an “expression of the depth of the bonds uniting us and a visible sign of our cherished hope for ever deeper communion,” adding that “The full restoration of communion among all the believers in Jesus Christ is an irrevocable commitment for every Christian, for the ‘unity of all’ is not only God’s will but an urgent priority in today’s world. Indeed, today’s world is greatly in need of reconciliation, fraternity and unity.”
“Divisions are the result of sinful actions”

Pope Francis also highlighted the need to continue analyze reasons for the ongoing divisions between the two Churches. “Much attention has rightly been placed on the historical and theological reasons at the origin of our divisions. This shared study must continue and develop in a spirit that is neither polemical nor apologetic but marked instead by authentic dialogue and mutual openness. We must likewise acknowledge that divisions are the result of sinful actions and attitudes which impede the work of the Holy Spirit, who guides the faithful into unity in legitimate diversity. It follows that only growth in holiness of life can lead to genuine and lasting unity,” the pope said.

“We are called, then, to work towards the restoration of unity between Christians not merely through signed agreements but through fidelity to the Father’s will and discernment of the promptings of the Spirit. We can be thankful to God that our Churches are not resigned to past and current experiences of division, but, on the contrary, through prayer and fraternal charity are seeking instead to achieve full communion that will enable us one day, in God’s time, to gather together at the same Eucharistic table,” Pope Francis said in his message.

The pope laid out concrete proposals for unity. “As we journey towards that goal, there are already many areas in which the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate are working together for the common good of the human family by safeguarding creation, defending the dignity of every person, combating modern forms of slavery, and promoting peace. One of the most fruitful areas of such cooperation is interreligious dialogue,” Francis said.

“A relationship among equals”

Earlier, during the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis greeted his “dear brother” Bartholomew after his catechesis. “May the intercession of the holy brother Apostles Peter and Andrew soon allow the Church to fully enjoy her unity and peace to the whole world.” Francis asked that St Andrew “teach us to seek the Messiah at every moment of our lives and to proclaim him with joy to all those around us”.

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople share similar views on the unity of the Churches and other issues. The friendship between the pope and patriarch is seen as “a relationship among equals”. The two have met on numerous occasions with Pope Francis describing their relationship as “our own profound personal bond from the time of the inauguration of my papal ministry, when you honored me with your presence in Rome.”

Since his election in 1991, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has over the years become one of the major personalities of the Christian world and has been on the forefront of issues related to religious freedom, human rights, and ecology. Sometimes known as the “Green Patriarch”, Bartholomew has also displayed a longstanding interest in ecology, which Pope Francis recognized at the very beginning of his encyclical, Laudato si’. In 1997, for example, in a declaration later copied around the world, he made a very harsh criticism of all those who are contributing to the destruction of the planet.

Bartholomew I was elected as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church on 22 October 1991, and installed as the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew on November 2. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Apostle Andrew founded the church in A.D. 36 in the city then known as Byzantium, which later was called Constantinople and today is Istanbul.

Posted: Dec. 1, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12877
Categories: La CroixIn this article: Bartholomew I, Catholic, Orthodox, Pope Francis
Transmis : 1 déc. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12877
Catégorie : La CroixDans cet article : Bartholomew I, Catholic, Orthodox, Pope Francis


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