Greeks and Orthodox Church Desire Unity With Catholic Church

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Greeks and Orthodox Church Desire Unity With Catholic Church

Forum: Theological Expressions
Date: 2001, Jun 05
From: Matthew Tan Yew Hock MatthewTan

Most Greeks Want Orthodox-
Please Click: Most Greeks Want Orthodox-Catholic Unity, Survey Finds

ATHENS, Greece, MAY 8, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Most Greeks support John Paul II's proposal for progress on the road to full unity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, a survey finds.

In Greece, where the majority of the population is Orthodox, 56.8% expressed their support for the union of the Churches. More than half of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of John Paul II, following his May 4-5 pilgrimage to Athens.

In the survey, published Sunday in the governmental newspaper To Vima, out of a sample of 692 people, 56.8% said they "were in favor of an eventual union of the Churches," while 26.1% said they were opposed.

Most of those who said "yes" to union argued that the "differences between Orthodox and Catholics were not great." Another 17.1% did not wish to reply, or had no opinion on the matter, and 59.2% said that the Holy Father's visit to Greece was important.

ZE01050801

Please Click: Greece Visit Opens New Perspective, Aide Says

Interview with Spokesman of Archbishop Christodoulos

ATHENS, Greece, MAY 6, 2001 (ZENIT.org-AVVENIRE).- John Paul II's request for God's forgiveness for Catholics' sins against the Orthodox is "very important for us," says the spokesman for the Greek Orthodox primate.

After his meeting with the Pope on Friday, Archbishop Christodoulos, primate of the Greek Orthodox, said: "The Pope has been very kind to us and we are happy."

Later, in an interview, his spokesman Haris Konidaris continued that positive assessment of the papal visit. Konidaris was also one of the behind-the-scenes negotiators who prepared John Paul II's visit to Greece.

--Q: What did you think of John Paul II's address to the primate of Greece?

--Konidaris: It was exactly what we expected. The fact that he asked for God's forgiveness, for Catholics who have sinned against Orthodox brothers, is very important for us.

What he did before the Lord is significant, because this really calls for Christian charity. An act that is even more important, if one considers that it has not been done in just any place, but in the see of the primate of Greece.

--Q: Can the dialogue between Greek Orthodoxy and the Catholic Church be renewed?

--Konidaris: The dialogue has existed for many years, but John Paul II's visit opens a new perspective. With his address, the Pope has removed heavy burdens from the way, which impeded going forward. Of course, differences and problems remain, but now there is the common conviction that solutions can be reached.

--Q: John Paul II did not mention the question of the "Uniates" [the name used by the Orthodox to express contempt for Eastern-rite Christians who left the Orthodox Church to recognize papal authority].

--Konidaris: It's true, but let's give time [some] time. When I spoke earlier about the problems that are still under discussion, I was referring especially to the question of the Uniates. In any case, the Pope spoke explicitly of wounds that cause sufferings to the Greek people. This was the recognition we wanted.

--Q: Christodoulos went to Moscow on Saturday to meet with Alexy II. Will he open the way for a papal trip?

--Konidaris: The Pope's visit to Moscow is a decision that belongs to the Russian Church, and the Greek Church has not voice in the matter. If Patriarch Alexy wants a report on the outcome of the Pope's visit to Athens, I think His Beatitude Christodoulos will express his own opinion and refer to facts.

--Q: Namely?

--Konidaris: The Pope of Rome has taken an important step in relations with us, and the Greek Church has shown courage and readiness to receive him.

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