Ecumenism

There is a false sense of ecumenism that is alive today. But only partially... I was fortunate to be part of several ecumenical meetings locally in a ministerial association and nationally at the Churches Uniting in Christ plenary. I met many wonderful people at these and other various ecumenical events, but there were inevitably well-intentioned but mistaken people present. These people were those who vigorously pushed ecumenism at any cost. Their motto was "our differences do not matter, we WILL be together." This is not true ecumenism. This is assimilation to the extent that neither tradition is respected for their differences. It is my opinion that this perspective is bad regardless of the situation. For instance, saying that there is no difference between a Catholic and a Protestant is saying that there is no difference between a African American and a Latino person or a woman and a man. Each group has their own experiences, triumphs, struggles, needs, etc. that, while they can be discussed to arrive at greater commonality can never be totally ignored.

There are very profound differences between various Christian groups. Some of these are insurmountable. For example, it is theologically impossible for a group that does not promote belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist to be in "communion" with a group that does. Or for Catholic Christians with their belief in sacramental theology to join with a group not professing such a belief. This does not mean that both groups cannot go about bringing hope to the world. Indeed, it is laudable when Christians (and even people of all faiths) join together to combat hunger, poverty, and other injustices.

There is an ecumenical movement that is overdue and it is greater discussion and prayer among orthodox Christians. Roman Catholics, Old (Roman) Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, Continuing Anglicans, and the Oriental Orthodox have much in common and can contribute to each other's spiritual lives in greater ways. Not only is communication among these groups laudable, but even within jurisdictions themselves. For example, most groups do not recognize the Orthodox Church in America's right to exist. The same is true of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Yet, these groups have every right to exist as much as ancient patriarchates. It is absolutely ridiculous that they could be "shunned" and considered "uncanonical" because of political reasons. It would be naive to say that politics do not exist in the Church. But to let them prevent even basic dialogue is completely antithetical to Our Lord's commandment that "they all be one."

We must realize that Orthodox and Catholic believers are no longer rivals. We are allies. The rivalry must be gone once and for all. If we understand that, proselytism will stop.” - Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion.

The Glories of the Saints

In a time when sincerity and goodness can often be fleeting, the stories of our predecessors in faith bring me great comfort. The give me hope because of their witness and their testimony.

But, what is it that makes a saint? A saint is someone who is, for all intents and purposes, with God. The glorious thing is that any one of us has the chance to become a saint. Not just in how we live, but (as shown in the Parable of the Workers) in our last moments. St. Joseph Cafasso, one of my favorite saints, was known to give Last Rites and Holy Communion to prisoners condemned to die. After their executions he would say "made a good confession and are truly saints."

And there certainly are saints with some stories! Take St. Olga for example. Before she converted to Christianity she had 5,000 people killed out of revenge for her husband's murder. The story goes:

"Now Olga gave to each soldier in her army a pigeon or a sparrow, and ordered them to attach by thread to each pigeon and sparrow a piece of sulfur bound with small pieces of cloth. When night fell, Olga bade her soldiers release the pigeons and the sparrows. So the birds flew to their nests, the pigeons to the cotes, and the sparrows under the eaves. The dove-cotes, the coops, the porches, and the haymows were set on fire. There was not a house that was not consumed, and it was impossible to extinguish the flames, because all the houses caught on fire at once. The people fled from the city, and Olga ordered her soldiers to catch them. Thus she took the city and burned it, and captured the elders of the city. Some of the other captives she killed, while some she gave to others as slaves to her followers. The remnant she left to pay tribute."

That's pretty mean. But I find comfort in the fact that regardless of our past we have great potential for the future. And the beauty of the saints is that, at least for me, they are not confined to one particular branch of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I venerate saints of both the East and the West. This is not always easy! Some of the saints on each side were particularly cruel to other Christians (either Orthodox or Catholic). But there is great solace in the fact that they were nurtured by the same Creeds, the Eucharist, the care of the Blessed Virgin, and so many other essential parts of our faith.

Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco is one of my particular favorites among the Orthodox. His life is the very example of an outstanding missionary. I firmly believe that he intercedes for me in Heaven, because I so hope that the walls that divide us don't reach to heaven.

The saints will lead us towards true unity. May they intercede for us all and may we all become saints--proclaimed and not.