Well I have been looking forward to seeing what this document will look like. It has been released. Go to at the Vatican Web Site:
This deals with the issue of the role of the Petrine Primacy. That is the Bishop of Rome
First a Caveat. As you can see at the top of the link the Vatican is saying:
The following is the original English text of the ‘Ravenna Document’ which was discussed and unanimously approved by the members of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church during the tenth plenary session of the Commission held in Ravenna from 8-14 October 2007. Thus, the document represents the outcome of the work of a Commission and should not be understood as an official declaration of the Church’s teaching. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has provided translations of the text in Italian, French and German.
The secular press is starting to react. Let me give the standard Opinionated Catholic warning as to the secular press when it reports on religion. They often get it wrong. However this early piece by Reuters is quite good. Go see Vatican hails "step" to healing Orthodox rift.
I thought this was important:
But the document made clear neither side yet agreed on what power came with that rank. The Orthodox in the old Byzantine Empire rejected the universal authority of the Roman Pontiff and gradually developed autonomous national churches with no papacy.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Vatican department promoting Christian unity, said the document gave Catholics hope but cautioned there was still a very long way to go before Catholics and Orthodox could speak of any kind of unity.
"This document is a modest first step and as such one of hope. But we must not exaggerate its importance," he told Vatican radio late on Wednesday ahead of the document's release. "This will not be easy. The road is very long and difficult."
Still it should be overlooked. There are elements in Orthodoxy that are quite hostile when their leadership comes to agreements or even talks to the Bishop of Rome. The eastern Orthodox monks of Patmos are just one group that leaps to mind. Thus it does take some courage for Orthodox leadership and clergy to do this. More later as the European Press starts analyzing it.
Still again it is significant. I have not had a chance to read the document myself but intend to give it a read this afternoon. Heaven and indeed all the Saints are smiling today
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