What's the Biggest Theological Dispute Preventing a Reunion Between EO/RC?

[Orthodox Andrew]

 

[Patristic]

I voted for Papal Infallibility since I believe that it is the biggest barrier preventing reunification.

 

[OrthodoxTexan]

I put infallability, but I would also put Papal Supremacy. You also left off the Filoqueas a choice.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

I said purgatory because I don't know how in the world the Roman Catholic Church could ever get rid of that doctrine. How could they tell their people "sorry we were wrong about that whole cleansing thing"?

 

[Oblio]

I wonder what the Patriarchs of the EOC think it is ?

 

[Moros]

Papal infalliblity is the main one, but that is not the only one.

Even if the pope and the roman catholics renounced the infallibility, there are still these issues (and more)

immaculate conception
procession of the holy spirit
clergy marriage
divorce
statues
liturgy
saints
holy days
filoque
assumption of the virgin mary
unleavened bread
holy communion
invocation of the epiclesis

a thousand years of seperation.. the protestant reformation.. domination of europe... inquisition..

not to mention how deeply catholic culture is rooted in latin america, europe, ireland..

and not to mention how deeply orthodoxy is rooted in greece, russia, the balkans...

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Filoque! I can't believe I left that out.

 

[Photini]

I voted infallibility as the biggest hurdle.

 

[nyj]

I said purgatory because I don't know how in the world the Roman Catholic Church could ever get rid of that doctrine. How could they tell their people "sorry we were wrong about that whole cleansing thing"?

Which would make Infallibility the biggest hurdle.

Papal Infallibility will have to be defined in such a manner (it obviously cannot be reversed) that it extends to the Church as a whole*. This is not a far-fetched notion, and should be possible to be done, as both Catholics and Orthodox agree on the infallible nature of the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

*This is already in place, as the Magesterium (Pope plus the other Bishops) are said to benefit from this charism when definitively teaching on the topic of faith and morals.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Which would make Infallibility the biggest hurdle.

Papal Infallibility will have to be defined in such a manner (it obviously cannot be reversed) that it extends to the Church as a whole*. This is not a far-fetched notion, and should be possible to be done, as both Catholics and Orthodox agree on the infallible nature of the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

*This is already in place, as the Magesterium (Pope plus the other Bishops) are said to benefit from this charism when definitively teaching on the topic of faith and morals.

That's what I thought at first. But then I figured that the Pope could drop the doctrine of Infallibility far more easily than saying purgatory does not exist. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself very well?

 

[Umut]

You forgot "I don't know"

and "All of the above." Captain Andreas



I know nothing! NOTHING!

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

You forgot "I don't know"

and "All of the above." Captain Andreas



I know nothing! NOTHING!

That would be "Other".

 

[Eusebios]

It seems clear to me that the primary matter of contention between East and West is the Filoque. As was discussed recently in another thread on TAW, the doctrine of purgatory is not really a solid one within the EOC. If we are speaking about the practice of indulgences as applied to purgatory, that is another story. Further, though I have never been a RC, from what I can see, in regards to the doctrine of the Holy Assumption (Dormition, Blessed Falling Asleep) of the Most Holy Theotokos. we DO NOT DIFFER on this matter.
As far as the relatively recent doctrines of Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallability (when speaking ex-cathedra), I believe and pray that those would not be as big of issues as some make them out to be. It is the most ancient point, that of the Filoque (procession of The Holy Spirit) which I see as the most difficult hurdle to jump.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.

 

[OrthodoxTexan]

Further, though I have never been a RC, from what I can see, in regards to the doctrine of the Holy Assumption (Dormition, Blessed Falling Asleep) of the Most Holy Theotokos. we DO NOT DIFFER on this matter.

Perhaps one of the visiting Catholics can address this, but does the CC teach that Mary died before she was assumed into heaven? I have heard conflicting things from different people.

 

[Eusebios]

Perhaps one of the visiting Catholics can address this, but does the CC teach that Mary died before she was assumed into heaven? I have heard conflicting things from different people.

Excellent idea OTex
RC Brethren?
I did find this link as well.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios

 

[twex]

does the CC teach that Mary died before she was assumed into heaven?

No, that question was deliberately left open when the dogma was defined, as no solid tradition could be established either way.

Munificentissimus Deus reads:

44. For which reason, [...] we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

 

[prodromos]

I put Papal Supremacy, because I believe that Papal Infallibility is simply the fruit of that particular tree.

John.

 

[Matthias]

Yah, a HUGE number of hurdles to get over.

 

[Moros]

If the two churches were to actually and realistically attempt to re-unite, Orthodox would get the very short end of the stick.

 

[Michael G]

I voted for the Papal Supremacy because there is not an "all of the above, and more" choice. I think the biggest thing preventing a reunion of Rome and Orthodoxy is that the Rome Church has taken Orthodoxy and added so much stuff to it which is unorthodox that it would take a thorough cleansing to make the RC Orthodox again.