Just a reminder that as blog owner I reserve the right to delete or edit comments that I deem to be inappropriate (foul, ad hominem, mean-spirited, provocative, etc.). I’ve been very forbearing about this over the past months and the comments coming from certain individuals (who have been warned several times) have not improved. I will not allow our valuable discussions here, toward greater mutual understanding between Eastern and Western Christendom, to be derailed by trollish behavior.
Yes, indeed, your blog owner is quite biased, and this blog has a very specific purpose: “Towards Orthodox-Catholic Reconciliation.” This does not mean that I want the blog to become an “echo chamber”: I continue to welcome comments from both Orthodox and Catholics who tend to have a more hardline anti-ecumenical attitude, as long as these views are expressed in a polite and charitable manner. In fact, the discussions here really depend on people voicing many different viewpoints!
If you make such comments, all your comments will be moderated, and if you keep sending such comments for me to moderate, you’ll be banned, full stop.
If you have any questions about my comment policy, or about any other aspect of the blog, you can contact me privately at eirenikonblog (at) me (dot) com.
May I comment on a comment? ;-)
AMM wrote: “I have to admit as a layman with no theological education, I am utterly lost. Is this what our leaders discuss when they get together?”
To which I respond: I sure in heck hope not. If they do discuss this sort of stuff at their get-togethers, then they should qualify for a Get-Out-of-Purgatory-Free card! And then some!
I haven’t been here for awhile, and I’m glad to see this blog is up and running again. I want to take this opportunity (off-topic, sorry) to plug what is in my limited but not-too limited experience the best book about the East-West schism per se: *His Broken Body* by Laurent A. Cleenewerck. Cleenewerck is a professor of theology, and an OCA “presbyter” (I assume in this context that means a priest). Although I know some here will write it off because its written by an Orthodox, it is, in my view, quite balanced, and gores both oxes, so to speak. The conclusion of the book in one sentence: The Catholic Church needs to become more orthodox, and the Orthodox Church needs to become more catholic. Something for both sides gnash their teeth about.
Unfortunately, at least the last time I checked, it cannot be purchased except in the “Kindle” electronic edition on Amazon. Unless you already have a Kindle device, that means an investment of about $250. I may have gotten the last print edition left. Perhaps anybody interested can get it through their library. Joe
I second Joe’s recommendation. (Fr.?) Cleenewerck’s book is excellent: well-written, comprehensive, and non-polemical.
“The Catholic Church needs to become more orthodox, and the Orthodox Church needs to become more catholic”.
Something I have been saying, word for word, for years.
But neither I nor Fr Cleenewerk were the first – interested readers should read “The Banished Heart” by Dr Geoffrey Hull.
Fret not. “His Broken Body” is available on Lulu.com in print for $33.50 and PDF download format for $6.25. I downloaded it earlier this year, and agree that it is a very solid and fair treatment of the subject.
http://www.lulu.com/product/download/his-broken-body-understanding-and-healing-the-schism-between-the-roman-catholic-and-eastern-orthodox-churches/3654720
In a few days we’ll celebrate the Miracle of Damascus. It will be the 27th anniversary of the events of Soufanieh. If you aren’t aware, you can inform yourself here: http://www.soufanieh.com/
The website isn’t the most user friendly but take a look at the videos etc. It seems Myriam will visit the U.S. again in June of 2010.
Pace e bene, Vito
Blessed / Saint Augustine said “unity in essentials, diversity in non essentials, and charity in all things.” This would be, in my opinion, a decent proclamation to heed when we discuss divisive issues.
Vito, thanks so much for the reminder re Our Lady of Soufanieh. I still have the beautiful icon you sent me, on the wall in our living room.
This upcoming conference should be of interest;
http://www.fordham.edu/academics/programs_at_fordham_/orthodox_christian_s/triennial_patterson_/2010_orthodox_constr_73023.asp
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