Vienna, Austria, Sep 27, 2010 / 09:54 am
Though qualifying that full unity is still in the distant future, leaders from Catholic and Orthodox churches recently indicated that progress is underway in the reunification efforts of the two faith communities.
Reuters reported on Sept. 24 that church heads meeting this week in Vienna concurred that the two traditions – which have been separated since the Great Schism of 1054 – could eventually become “sister churches” that recognize the Holy Father as head but maintain their individual liturgies, customs and church structures.
Leaders from the International Commission for Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue, a group comprised of around 30 theologians who meet annually, gave comments to reporters in Vienna last Friday, noting the positive advances both churches have made towards full communion.
Archbishop Kurt Koch, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said in a news conference last week the the two churches “will be able to enrich each other,” adding that the “basic principle of ecumenism is the exchange of gifts.”