Russian Orthodox Bishop Speaks on Future Prospects of Catholic-Orthodox Relations

The Catholic Studies program was privileged to host Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, of the Moscow Archdiocese of Kerch, who gave a talk on the Future Prospects of Catholic-Orthodox relations on October 7. The bishop is the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the European Union and the official spokesman for ecumenical dialogue for the Russian Church. 

Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev at the University of St. Thomas in October 2002.

The bishop outlined the history of Byzantine and Latin Christianity, claiming that the different cultural and theological traditions of the two culture-zones of early Christianity provided the backdrop for later disagreements and misunderstandings that culminated in schism in 1054. Although this schism did not produce a Eucharistic breach, it did establish a real divide between Catholics and Orthodox that persists to this day.

As a result of the Union of Brest in 1596, there arose what the bishop referred to as "Uniate" churches, or churches of the Byzantine rite which recognize the primacy of the pope. The existence of such churches, the bishop maintained, has been one of the greatest obstacles in Catholic-Orthodox relations in the last century. Many complications have arisen due to disputes over ecclesiastical property confiscated during the Soviet era, as well as the Orthodox insistence that the phenomena of "Uniatism" is not an acceptable means towards achieving reunion.

Bishop Alfeyev credited the Second Vatican Council as a watershed in Catholic-Orthodox relations and noted his appreciation for the commitment of the Catholic Church both to recognize the validity of the Orthodox sacramental order and to respect and preserve the historical traditions of different rites. The 1980s, he noted, marked a high point in Catholic-Orthodox relations, particularly due to the pressure exerted by the atheistic Communist authorities in Eastern Europe against the two Churches. With the fall of Communism, however, new problems arose which have yet to be resolved. One issue of major importance concerns how to assign the property confiscated during the Soviet era from the Byzantine Catholics.

Another issue of utmost importance, according to the bishop, is the alleged proselytism of Russians by the Catholic Church. He noted that the creation of four new dioceses in the Russian Federation has provoked new tensions in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, since the Orthodox view this as an act of aggression and an overt move toward open proselytizing. He stated that these kinds of practical issues must be resolved before dialogue over theological issues can resume. In his closing remarks however, he recognized the essentially religious imperative of the ecumenical movement, and quoted a Catholic friend of his, stating: "It was sin that divided the Churches, and it will be sanctity that will unite them." (NZ)

Source:

The Signature, Newsletter of the Department of Catholic Studies, November 2002.