Mulling over LEE LOFASO to STEVE ASHER 25 Apr 2005

G'day Lee,

>LL>It has long been a desire of popes for reunification with the
>LL>Orthodox church.

>SA>I haven't specifically followed this issue, as it isn't prominent
>SA>in Oz.

>LL>It has been a dream of Roman Catholic pontiffs for a thousand
>LL>years.

SA>The RCC bishops observe the protocol (and probably Anglicans, Assembly
SA>of God, Baptist etc do also), but the Orthodox have factions which get
SA>a bit passionate at times, especially if a bishop of the wrong faction
SA>arrives in Oz uninvited. It doesn't happen all that often, but it does
SA>happen.

 LL> It's called protecting one's turf.  :)

That is literally true, of course. In its extremes, the dominant
church / religion causes the government to enact laws outlawing
or restricting other churches / factions / religions to prevent
proselytising.

>LL>Even the pope, who is the bishop of Rome, would not show up in
>LL>another diocese uninvited.  Even though most RCC bishops would love
>LL>for him to visit.  :)

SA>His visit certainly wouldn't go unnoticed! :)

 LL> Maybe an exception would be to make a speech at the United Nations,
 LL> which is located in New York City.  And any religious leader who
 LL> did that would be sure to get worldwide attention.  ;)

It may happen sooner rather than later (that B16 addresses the UN in NY).

>LL>As well as better relations with other Christians,

>LL>JPII was a theological conservative.  Benedict XVI appears to also
>LL>be a theological conservative, following in the footsteps of the
>LL>late JPII. But JPII was definitely NOT a political conservative.

SA>I guess it depends on how one views a theological conservative; to me,
SA>the notion of seeking Christian and wider religious unity, as expounded
SA>in B 16's inaugural outdoor mas, smacks of rejection of the biblical
SA>concept of separation, and plays into the hands of the "god of this
SA>world" (Satan) and his false Messiah, the Beast 666.

 LL> If the pope were to be making a case for wider religious unity
 LL> based on religious freedom, it would be an error.  IOW, all
 LL> religions are not the same.  Arguing that all religions are the
 LL> same, or more or less the same, is a defined heresy, that of
 LL> indifferentism.  What the pope is referring to is freedom of
 LL> conscience, which is based on the dignity of the human person, NOT
 LL> on the basis of religious freedom.

I think I will just have to "watch this space" very carefully to get a
feel for what B 16 is saying, and what he means, re unity of Christians,
Islam offering a "valid spiritual foundation for the life of its people",
etc.

Cheers, Steve..

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