Catholic Church
in Crete
For many years now we have been hearing this typical expression: ‘’the Union of the Churches’’. In particular, however, in our country we have not testified to any progress. Many of us stand before the problem of the union of the Christians with pessimism and bitterness. Consequently, it is necessary that we have some enlightening ideas about this serious problem of ecumenism.
What unites us?
Usually we underline those things that separate us from our Orthodox brothers, so much indeed that we have often forgotten the things that unite us. One and the same God unites us, one and the same Christ, one and the same Mother of God; the same sacraments, the same Sacred Scriptures, the Apostles together with the Holy Tradition, the first Ecumenical Councils which defined the Creed. That is, Orthodox and Catholics have in common these things which constitute the substance of Christianity. Through Baptism we do not become ‘’Catholics’’ or ‘’Orthodox’’, but Christians. Actually, Baptism embodies us in Christ, this is why all the baptized make up the one and only body of Christ, i.e the ‘’One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church’’.
What separates us?
Although all Christians are essentially united in the one and only body of Christ, there are, however, some differences we should not underestimate. The main issue that separates the two Christian confessions is the ‘’Primacy of the Pope’’, which is so much stressed in our country.
We Catholics recognize in the face of the Bishop of the church of Rome, based on Christ’s promises to the Apostle Peter, a universal pre-eminence; a preeminence (primacy), however, not of sovereignty over the church but a primacy of love and service for the benefit of the Church, that is, for service to the Church, for the security of the unity of the Church, and the authenticity of the Gospel. Our Orthodox brothers, however, acknowledge this universal ecclesiastical supervision only to the ecumenical synod. Other differences (like the doctrine on the Holy Spirit), even if some theologians dramatize them, with a little good will can be overcome.
Differences that do not separate us.
Other differences, such as the Holy Communion under the substance (form), and the way it is communicated (unleavened bread = the host for the Catholics), the outward difference of the sign of the cross, the way (rite) the sacraments (mysteries) and Eucharist are celebrated, the celibacy of the clergy, the difference in the liturgical calendar, etc., do not threaten the unity, but rather they express the spiritual richness, the pluralism and freedom of Christians.
Each Church lives its faith in its own way, in its own temperament. It becomes wrong at the moment one Church makes absolute and exclusive it own way, its own traditions and refuses to acknowledge to the other Church the right to live Christianity in its way.
The differences between Churches stem from historical, political/cultural, and geographical/regional reasons. An additional reason is that the Church developed unilaterally one truth, completely ignoring the other Church. Often, the different cultures of peoples led to different criteria for the interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures which led to different conclusions. Nevertheless, as far as the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches are concerned, there was not any premeditated action by which they decided to be divided. Rather, they found themselves separated, alienated, little by little, almost without them realizing it.
Why we live in our own country like ‘’strangers’’ among ourselves?
Events from the distant past, like the Crusades, along with the various movements of the Western World against the East, still have negative influence on the contemporary attitudes of many people and ‘’poison’’ the relations between Catholic and Orthodox in our country. Unfortunately, many in our country falsely identify the Catholic Church with the Vatican city-state and call the Catholics with the inaccurate names of ‘’Frangos’’ (French), or Italian, while the Catholic Church, was never limited to particular nations or to exclusive nationalities, precisely because it is catholic, that is, universal. The Greek Catholic remains both Greek and Catholic at the same time. This should be actively acknowledged by all our Orthodox brothers.
What should we do?
If Christians live the Gospel with honesty and authenticity, we shall find ourselves united automatically. Intolerance and fanaticism are obvious indications that we are not authentic disciples of Christ, who preached brotherhood and love.
Catholics and Orthodox we live together but we do not know each other. Often, our contacts are based on anachronisms, prejudice and ignorance. Laypeople and clergymen must be better and deeply acquainted with each other. We, Catholics must better understand our own faith so that we may be in position to explain with simplicity to our Orthodox brothers who we are and what we believe. We must also come to know the riches of the Orthodox Church in order to appreciate it more and love it. Our Orthodox brothers should do likewise also.
Thus, if Christians were once alienated without their realising it, the day comes when they will look at each other, eye to eye, as brothers and sisters.
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