Orthodox patriarch, Anglican leader to attend Vatican II celebration

Posted by Kendall Harmon

- The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury will join Pope Benedict XVI's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury will attend the Mass that Pope Benedict will celebrate at the Vatican to mark the anniversary of the Oct. 11, 1962, opening of the council, Vatican officials said.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury • --Rowan Williams • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church History • * Religion News & Commentary • Ecumenical Relations • Other Churches • Orthodox Church • Roman Catholic • Pope Benedict XVI

8 Comments
Posted September 20, 2012 at 3:00 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Ad Orientem wrote:

How regrettable. H.A.H. Bartholomew I Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome seems to be unable to pass up an invitation to any of these photo-op ecumenical love fests. But really, why must he show up at every one? And from an Orthodox perspective there is not much to admire in Vatican II which effectively lead to the gutting of the ancient liturgy of the Christian West among other problematic results.

September 20, 7:15 pm | [comment link]
2. Ralph wrote:

Well, not quite an ecumenical love fest.

I suspect an Evensong or Matins with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Bishop of Rome jointly presiding might fit the bill for that.

But, it sounds like this is going to be a Mass, with the ABC and OEPC attending, but presumably not participating - or partaking. Rather like inviting someone to dinner and having him sit there and watch while everyone else eats and drinks.

Rome’s definition of Christian unity seems to have something to do with submission.

September 21, 6:37 am | [comment link]
3. CharlietheCook wrote:

Doesn’t Rome consider the ABC’s holy orders to be invalid?

September 21, 7:06 am | [comment link]
4. Charles wrote:

#3.  Yes.  But that doesn’t have anything to do with “ecumenical love fests” (to use the term of the day).

September 21, 9:55 am | [comment link]
5. Formerly Marion R. wrote:

I hope he’ll be wearing his pectoral cross!

September 21, 12:03 pm | [comment link]
6. oursonpolaire wrote:

The odds are that the Archbishop will wear the episcopal ring given to Michael Ramsey by Paul VI.  It appears to have passed down to succeeding archbishops.  At such events, he is usually in rochet and chimere but occasionally with cope and mitre.

September 21, 12:57 pm | [comment link]
7. CharlietheCook wrote:

No 4.  Were I the ABC I’d politely tell the pontiff, in effect, to take a flying leap at a rolling donut.  But of course the man is perhaps a bit short of spine it could be said.

September 21, 5:00 pm | [comment link]
8. Ad Orientem wrote:

Were I the ABC I’d politely tell the pontiff, in effect, to take a flying leap at a rolling donut. 

Presuming you were not married and could grow a beard I’d consider you for the next Patriarch of Constantinople.

September 21, 5:23 pm | [comment link]
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