Pope pleads for 'intense prayer' for latest ecumenical talks
CWN - September 22, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI called for renewed prayer for Christian unity as he concluded his public audience on Wednesday, September 22.
The Pope called attention to a new meeting of the joint Catholic-Orthodox theological commission, which is discussing the role of the Bishop of Rome in the universal Church: a topic that has been a major sticking point for Orthodox believers. The Holy Father reminded his audience that the ecumenical discussions are centering particularly on the role of the Pope during the first millennium of Christian history. Both Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II have expressed a willingness to consider returning to the form of the papacy during that first millennium, if doing so would serve the cause of unity.
“Obedience to the will of the Lord Jesus, and consideration for the great challenges facing Christianity today, oblige us to commit ourselves seriously to the cause of re-establishing full communion among the churches,” the Pope told his Wednesday audience. He called for “intense prayer” for the success of the latest ecumenical talks.
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Posted by: Obregon -
Sep. 22, 2010 10:42 PM ET USA
I was puzzled reading these words, "Both Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II have expressed a willingness to consider returning to the form of the papacy during that first millennium, if doing so would serve the cause of unity." What does this mean? Does it mean the Pope is willing to be just one more bishop with no jurisdictional authority in the Universal Church, so the East comes back home? I hope someone competent explains.
