From NCR: Is Catholic-Orthodox Unity in Sight?

The Catholic Archbishop of Moscow has given a remarkably upbeat assessment of relations with the Orthodox Church, saying unity between Catholics and Orthodox could be achieved —within a few months.—

In an interview today in Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper, Archbishop Paolo Pezzi said the miracle of reunification —is possible, indeed it has never been so close.— The archbishop added that Catholic-Orthodox reunification, the end of the historic schism that has divided them for a millennium, and spiritual communion between the two churches —could happen soon, within a few months.—

…Now the path to rapprochement is at its peak, and the third millennium of the Church could begin as a sign of unity.— He said there were —no formal obstacles— but that —everything depends on a real desire for communion.—

On the part of the Catholic Church, he added, —the desire is very much alive.—

Archbishop Pezzi, 49, whose proper title is Metropolitan Archbishop of the Mother of God Archdiocese in Moscow, said that now there are —no real obstacles— on the path towards full communion and reunification. On issues of modernity, Catholics and Orthodox Christians feel the same way, he said: —Nothing separates us on bioethics, the family, and the protection of life.—

Also on matters of doctrine, the two churches are essentially in agreement. —There remains the question of papal primacy,— Archbishop Pezzi acknowledged, —and this will be a concern at the next meeting of the Catholic-Orthodox Commission. But to me, it doesn’t seem impossible to reach an agreement.—…

This is the sort of well meaning ecumenical drivel that just wastes time. Of course the Archbishop doesn’t see a problem because he’s only looking at one side of whole issue, his own. Unless the Roman Church has decided to change the pronouncements of Vatican I on the scope and role of the pope, let’s say in the next few months, it isn’t happening. It doesn’t seem impossible to reach an agreement? I’d like some of the vodka he’s drinking.

Certainly there is common causes on social and political fronts, but at a core level one Church must prevail if counter claims to being The One True Church are to be resolved. Commonality on social and political issues cannot be used to whitewash or nullify major disagreements on the identity of the Church, the Church’s doctrines and so forth…

From my perspective the Archbishop needs to think long and hard about the things that separate the Churches and cease the publicly available wishful thinking. We all hope and pray — but this isn’t it. It will take very real and very painstaking work and in the end someone will have to say they were wrong.