Pope Francis is on visit to Greece after having visited Cyprus. In Athens, a Greek priest was arrested after yelling “you are a heretic”. Such displays of hysteria do not serve the Orthodox Church or the interests of Greece. One does not have to be an ecumenist to suggest that people of different faiths should coexist peacefully.
I am not an ecumenist and I believe the dogmatic differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism cannot be bridged. At the same time it is possible to maintain civil relations and not be in a state of permanent spiritual war. In 2001, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens accepted the apology of the visiting Pope John Paul II who expressed sorrow for the crimes of the Fourth Crusade that destroyed Constantinople in 1204.
The Orthodox world has serious grievances with the Roman Catholic Church. Some of these are still ongoing as with the aggressive activities of the Uniates in Ukraine. The way to deal with these issues is in a Christian manner through legitimate criticism and engagement.
One can reject any compromises of Orthodox faith while adopting a polite attitude to people of different faiths. In 2001, Greek Orthodox demonstrators denounced Pope John Paul II as a “two horned devil” and “antiChrist”. Such language emanates from fanatical attitudes similar to those that inspired the Crusades.
The Greek Church should be respectful to the Pope on his visit. Unfortunately, there are signs Archbishop Ieronymos is mishandling the visit. The Archbishop said the Roman Catholic Church did not support the Greek War of Independence. This is not really relevant since Greek Independence was achieved.
The Archbishop should have politely raised the issue of Roman Catholic (through Italy and France) support for Kemal’s armies in Asia Minor which deprived Greece of Constantinople and Smyrna. He could also have raised the issue of the Croatian Catholic genocide of Orthodox Christian Serbs during the Second World War.
These issues can be raised politely and diplomatically without needless hysteria. On the matter of the “union” between east and west, the Archbishop should politely state that Orthodoxy considers itself to possess the fullness of truth and no compromise is possible. Peaceful relations can be maintained and Orthodox and Roman Catholics can work together on matters of common concern.
For example, Orthodox Russia and Roman Catholic Poland and Hungary are fiercely resisting the western effort to impose LGBT ideology down their throats. In that common struggle, Orthodox and Roman Catholics have much in common and should fight together.
One reply on “The Papal Visit To Greece”
Traditional Greek Philoxenia should not allow discourtesy to any guest. All visitors should be made welcome in Greece. It served no purpose to admonish the Pope like this Greek Priest did, so why do it? The Orthodox Church has many historical grievances against Rome, but those grievances should be discussed in a friendly manner today with an understanding that people who live today are not responsible for them. KUDOS to Pope John Paul II for expressing regret for the 4th Crusades sacking of Constantinople and returning art treasures stolen at that time. Let’s all endeavor to behave as Christians towards our fellow Christians and work to resolve our differences. Like Ted, I don’t see our Church ever integrating with the RC church, too much time has passed. But we can respect each other going forward.