Breathing with two lungs

great post HandmaidenOfGod, I think the attitude of myself and a lot of other Catholics can annoy Orthodox Christians sometimes, the Orthodox think us Catholics are just trying to sweep our differances under the rug and pretend like they are not there, but that is not it, we are just trying to emphasise what we have in common

Christopher,

I wouldn't take the above statements as a survey of general sentiment about the opinion of the different churches. Please remember that message boards are just a microcosim of society, and not neccsarily a true reflection of society.

Having been raised in the Orthodox Church, and having family members that are Catholic and Protestant, I've never personally witnessed hostily from an EO member towards and RCC or Protestant individual.

As an EO Christian, the only time I have personally (just relaying my personal experience) experienced hostility was from Protestants. I've never had an RCC say a negative word to my face about me being an EO Christian.

Also, as further evidence of the RCC and EO having "friendly" relations, as recently as June of this year, the Ecumenical Patriarch celebrated vespers for the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul with the Pope of Rome.

If the EOC hated the RCC (or vice versa) THAT much, would they celebrate vespers together?

Why not also emphasize what we have in common with Buddhists, Jains and Taoists?Why not emphasize what we have in common with Islam and Rabbinic Judaism? Or maybe the JWs and Mormons? Because we all do have some things in common...

Being honest means admitting we have differences. It's dishonest to pretend our differences don't matter, because they do

Mike because they are not Christians, both of our Churches have faith in Christ our Savior, that is a stong bond. The belief that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of our Lord is a strong bond

It was so encouraging to read that the relations between the RCC and the Moscow Patriarchate are improving. Some of the strongest statements that I've read against the RCC have come out of Russia.

And I agree with you here. Islam and Buddhists, etc, are not Christian. There is NO reason to seek "unity" with them. Peace, yes...unity, no.

The Pope's still not allowed in Russia, the RCC still is proselytizing in the MP's territory, and they're going ahead making the Ukrainian Catholic Church a 'Patriarchate'. How are relations improving?

And what exactly are the reasons to seek unity with the RCC? They're losing faithful (and their reputation) in Europe and North America - some of the most secularized states in the world are former RCC territories. They continue to proselytize Orthodox lands, proving their talk of 'unity' is just that, talk (while their actions prove other intentions). They're incredibly fractured in many areas - you've got traditionalists, modernists, charismatics, pro-choice Catholics, etc...

Let's say by some miracle the RCC and the EO do reconcile. What exactly would the EO gain from the union? We already have valid sacraments according to the Pope, we'd gain nothing but all the problems the RCC has.

By this same logic we should also seek unity with all the protestant sects, they're still Christian, right? My point was never about unity with non-Christian religions, it's about the fact that unity with those whom we don't share the same beliefs isn't unity at all.

The 'two lung' theory is false. There's one body. Sure, God's grace transcends denominations, but there's only 1 true church.

Let's say by some miracle the RCC and the EO do reconcile. What exactly would the EO gain from the union? We already have valid sacraments according to the Pope, we'd gain nothing but all the problems the RCC has.

By this same logic we should also seek unity with all the protestant sects, they're still Christian, right?

Are you also against the dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox?

It is improving because the MP is not rejecting the possibility of dialogue to assess the problems that are going on.

See here.

"The Moscow Patriarchate has again said that it is not rejecting talks between Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Benedict XVI, but noted problems dividing the two Churches must be settled first."

"This is so in places where the Greek-Catholic Church is artificially expanding its influence, and where attempts are made to convert into Catholicism the Orthodox by Christening and family tradition," Fr. Vsevolod said.

When these problems are solved, new prospects will open for cooperation, he said.

I'm not at all against dialogue between our church and any other. In the case of the OO, it's been affirmed that we share the same faith, and that we're separated from each other, neither believes the other is heretical.