Cardinal Kasper: Rediscovering our unity with Eastern Orthodox

(Feb.02,2010): “We are rediscovering our unity,” said Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, as he summarised the relationship between Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The prelate is on a working trip to Lebanon, where he chaired a meeting of the seventh Joint International Commission on dialogue between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The commission, co-chaired by Bishop Anba Bishoï of Damietta and secretary general of the Synod of the Orthodox Coptic Church, brought together representatives of the Syro-Orthodox, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Armenian and India’s Malankara Churches, in what has become an annual event since 2004.
The division between the Catholic Church and the family of Orthodox Churches, dates back to the 5th century AD. After 1,500 years, the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches have come to realise that they share the same faith in Christ and that their dispute was the results of terminological and cultural differences. The dialogue currently undertaken focuses on the ‘Nature, constitution and mission of the Church’. Through this dialogue, the Churches can try to rebuild the ties that existed in the first five centuries of Christianity, identify the role of the Church of Rome, and examine the ways the first three ecumenical councils were received. Cardinal Kasper said “Our progress towards visible unity will have a considerable impact on the lives of our faithful and on the ways our Churches will meet the challenges of our times, These challenges are known to all, namely the search for peace and justice in the Middle East, terrorism and emigration. These issues will be addressed next October in Rome at the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to the Middle East, said Cardinal Kasper.