Hello Steve,

>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.  :)

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

Proselytising is always seen as being a big no-no.  A very big no-no. :)

>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.  ;)

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

JPII addressed the UN on two separate occasions.  Will B16 address
the UN?  Only time will tell...

>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.

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

As per Christian unity, B16 is referring to coherence between
faith and life, as well as Gospel and culture.  Certainly, Catholics
have their own unique identity, as do Baptists, Methodists, etc.
Otherwise, Catholics would not be Catholics and Baptists would not
be Baptists, etc.  He also seems to be pushing for more open dialogue
between Christians and non-Christians, so as the world's people can
gain a better understanding of each other.  His choice of Benedict
as a name is significant, being that Benedict means "blessing",
and his mention of Benedict XV being an influence on his choice
of name, along with St. Benedict.

Benedict XV was pope from 1914-1922, and had tried mightily to
prevent WWI, but was unsuccessful.  St. Benedict was the founder
of the Benedictine Order, and although B16 is not a Benedictine,
St. Benedict is very popular in Germany.  Furthermore, recent
comments made by B16 seems to suggest that Christians will soon
be undergoing many trials and tribulations, with Judgment Day
just around the corner.

B15 - WWI
B16 - WWIII?

--Lee


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