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I just spotted this article on ZENIT.

Pope desires to mend 1500 year split [zenit.org]

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I hope and pray that the Armenian Apostolic Church will accept the offer and the two communions can be united.
Stephanos I
St Thomas the Apostle pray for us to God, for the salvation of ours souls.

I would also love to see us reunited with the Armenian Apostolic Church.

To my mind, this reunion seems more plausible than a Catholic-Eastern Orthodox reunion, at least at present.

There doesn't seem to be any politically charged division between the us and the Armenian Apostolics, the relationship seems overall more cordial, and we seem to disagree on less.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to say that Armenia is a Catholic country? Joyous!

There is still much work to be done on both sides. Oremus.

Logos Teen

The Catholic Church is working with all of the Non Chalcedonian Churches of Armenia, Syria (including India), Egypt, Ethiopia and Eretria. I very much doubt that one of them will make any moves without the churches they are in communion with. These Churches are also dialoging with the Byzantine Orthodox Churches as well as Rome.

ICXC
NIKA

When I was in NY last December for my Honeymoon I visited the Armenian Catholic Cathedral and asked the priest what the relationship with the Orthodox was like.
He didn't seem too enthused about it, he said relations weren't good. Not sure if it was just an individual case... it might have to do with the national background of both communities in NY, I have no idea.
In case of a reunion, would the Armenian Catholic church be absorbed into the Apostolic Orthodox church? Or would they both co-exist as sui iuris churches?

Everyone�s experience is undoubtedly different. When I have talked to members of the Oriental Orthodox churches, I have actually found them more opposed to some form of ecclesial communion with the bishop of the western church than Byzantine Orthodox. The comments posted above do not surprise me therefore.

I actually think the hurdles are greater given the fact that they don�t accept the last four of the councils we consider Ecumenical. Again, there are probably different viewpoints on whether or not that�s a major hurdle. There are practical considerations as well. IIRC the Copts baptize all converts from Roman Catholicism.

Andrew

Father Anthony,

Bless.

Maybe due to it being Lent, I once again find the tone of the article ruffling my feathers, so to speak.

Why "separated from Rome"? Why can the editor not state "separated from Communion of Churches" or something of that nature?

It is little observations like this that causes me to question how sincere efforts at reunification, as opposed to subjugation, are coming from Vatican nation.

I do not find fault in our present Primate, heck, I love him. Pope Benedict XVI is German, intelligent, and rumor has it, he shared a room during seminary with a Byzantine Catholic, so is sensitive and very knowledgable on things Eastern.

Someone mentioned in another thread how things could have been different if the Metropolian of Kyiv(Kiev?) had entered into Communion with Rome via commeration by way of the Dyptich as opposed to becoming a vassel of the Roman state as it existed during that time. To me, this makes sense. A lot of sense. Retaining full independence, yet being able to share the most precious Cup.

What potential issues could arise if future attempts at unity involve the actual commemoration of the Pope, and the sharing of the Eucharistic Cup, but otherwise, no involvement of the Roman Curia within the reunited Church? I believe this is similar to how Unity existed prior to the Millenium issues?

Could Rome really allow a sui iuris Church to exist without some form of control? Of the current sui iuris Churches, does any one know which, if any, remains in full communion with Rome, yet is completely free of the Roman Curia?

Thank you and I apologize if these comments and questions cause offense. I am just trying to look at the bigger picture and end effects.

In Christ,

Michael

Dear Michael,

I find most journalists who write on church matters to be grossly ignorant of history, theology, canon law, liturgics etc. etc.

Except, of course, for Tim Cuprisin!!

Alex

I thought it was one of those motherhood statements that are repeated from time to time. There is no implication that anyone was further up the inter church dialogue tree than anyone else. If the Pope had met the Coptic Catholic Patriarch they would have put out in my view a similar article but saying Coptic instead. I think some are reading into this article issues that simply are not there. The Armenians have a long way to go before any reunification will be happening so keep up the prayers.

ICXC
NIKA

Dear Pavel,

The implication is that the entire early Church was "under Rome" and organized much like the RC Church is today - and later the various Eastern Churches "broke away" from Rome and caused the various schisms.

And all they have to do today is to reunite with Rome and everyone will be happy.

Motherhood statement this is not.

Vozdrastviye!

Alex

Dear Michael you said in reference to Pope Benedict's quote:

"Why "separated from Rome"? Why can the editor not state "separated from Communion of Churches" or something of that nature?"

I say:

From what 'Communion of Churches'? I have to assume you mean all the Churches in communion with Rome. In that case, the editor could not have stated it any other way unless he said they are separated from ALL the Churches that are in communion with Rome.

But that again would sound as if all other Churches are in communion with the Armenians, when they are not. So then the editor could only have said: All the Churches that are in communion with Rome and all the Churches that are not in communion with Rome. But the Pope cannot speak for Churches that are not in communion with him, now can he?

Zenovia

The Roman Curia didn't exist in the first millenium. Or am I wrong on this.

Roman Curia... Dr. Alex do you have children? This would be a good name for a band if one of your kids wants to start one!

The Curia is a post schism development.

Andrew

Dear Zenovia,

That is my issue. The Armenian Church also separated from Constantinople, Antioch, and Jerusalem in the fifth century, so to me, this is an incomplete statement!

What phrase would have echoed a more accurate relation to historical fact?

Michael

Don't get me wrong but first of all the Armenian Rite is more close to the Latin than the Byzantine, and also I think they would preffer communion with 1.5 billion Catholics rather than 100 million Orthodox.