Catholic Online Forum

It seems that this schism has gone on way to long for my liking, so why don't we do this.

Next papal election, the Latins elect the new bishop of Rome, but the candidate must come from the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Papal election after that one, the Easterners elect the next bishop of Rome, but he must come from the Latin rite.

Then we can keep alternating until we forget the schism. In this way, the Latins may keep the Pope but the Eastern Orthodox will have one of their own in the papacy. Or, it may be a Latin in the papacy, but it will be the Eastern Orthodox who selects him.

Then we can be reunited and everybody is happy.

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Mark Zona

Salvation comes from the Jews. John 4:22

That seems like a very good idea to me!

Can that be done? Has anyone ever thought about this before?

Caroline G.

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- Caroline G.

There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church.... ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN

Caroline wrote:



Probably not, but...



YES! And it worked, but a very long time ago. Romulus forged an aliance between the Romans and the Sabines in ancient Rome. When Romulus died, the Romans and the Sabines could not agree on a successor, so they reached an agreement. The Romans would be the ones to select the next king, but they could only select a Sabine. The Romans elected Numa, a Sabine, and both sides were so pleased that eventually the distinction between Romans and Sabines became non-existent. It worked.
But back then, both sides wanted a solution of unity desperately.

I am afraid we are not that desperate.

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Mark Zona

Salvation comes from the Jews. John 4:22

Mark and Caroline,

The difference between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches concerning the Papacy has nothing to do with whom occupies the Seat at Rome but, rather, what is the authority of the person occupying the Seat.

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Tony Liotta

Jesus is weeping again.
"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Lk 9:62)
"No one can serve two masters; ...... You cannot serve God and mammon", (i.e., money, wealth, prosperity). (Matt. 6:24)

Tony wrote:



Yes, but they might not have a problem with the authority of the person occupying that seat if they had more than a snowballs chance in Cuba of occupying it. I think that is the underlying cause of the problem the Orthodox have with the authority of the papacy. Because these rites were founded by apostles other than Peter, they are exluded from the papacy and thus they perceive themselves as having less influence under a papacy. Perhaps you are right. The anti-papal attitude may be so ingrained in some that they would not take the papacy even if elected.

Of coarse I know you are right Tony, but sometimes I think this schism between east and west is really ridiculous, and therefore I suggest ridiculous solutions.

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Mark Zona

Salvation comes from the Jews. John 4:22

Mark,

My own suggestion for a solution is to call an Ecumenical Council on the questions where we disagree and include all the Orthodox Bishops in the Council. Either they come or they don't, but they could not say they were not included and did not have the opportunity.

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Tony Liotta

Jesus is weeping again.
"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Lk 9:62)
"No one can serve two masters; ...... You cannot serve God and mammon", (i.e., money, wealth, prosperity). (Matt. 6:24)

Let's not forget that there are many Eastern Orthodox Churches, too. Not all of them are in communion, either. But that is a beautiful thought; you are obviously using your heart! The Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Assyrian Church of the East are all churches of valid apostolic succession, so in theory, all of their bishops, archimandrites, monastics, and any other celibate clergy I might have left out would all be eligible to be the Bishop of Rome. I know we've had multiple African Popes, and I think we HAVE had multiple Eastern Popes as well. I love that story about ancient Rome...that's really cool.

I think the first thing an Eastern Orthodox Pope would try to do would be to declare ex cathedra that Popes don't have the authority to make infallible doctrines and reverse those infallible doctrines already promulgated. Wouldn't that be a paradox! In theory, I guess the Holy Spirit would stop him or something...if He didn't, that would like...undo the universe.

BTW there's already an Eastern Pope. The Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is actually properly referred to as a "Pope" as well. Their current Pope is Pope Shenouda III. He's just the Patriarch of the Coptic Church (like our Pope is the Patriarch of Rome); he doesn't claim authority over any other church. I hear he and JP2 are good friends, but I only know that as a rumor, not a fact.

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Peter Edwards
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Greeks HAVE held the position of the bishop of Rome in the undivided Church.

Lyon and Florence were such councils that invited the Orthodox. Even as late as Vatican I, such invitation was given to the Orthodox, but the Orthodox declined. Maybe the Catholic Church can re-open the issue and give another invitation.

In Christ,
Glenn

One problem. The Orthodox Church believes Jesus is the head of the Church. We have many people who have decided or that decide matters pertaining to the Church, not one man. We believe as a unity and through the Holy Spirit the correct decisions will be made. If more than one person has been enlightned by the Holy Spirit it is much better than one. Plus what would an Orthodox Pope for the Catholic Church do? Orthodox Church does not believe in the Catholic Church, so he would change it anyway.