RCC theologian: Unity with Orthodoxy can be reached through shared faith

Giacinto Destivelle. Photo: vaticannews.va

Catholic priest Giacinto Destivelle, a Dominican of the Eastern Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, stated that unity with the Orthodox Church is possible only on the basis of a common faith.

According to him, “good relations with the Orthodox are the fruit of prophetic gestures and ongoing dialogue,” and “true unity cannot be built on compromises; it is achieved solely on the basis of truth and the common faith professed by both sides.”

The Catholic priest explained that full Christian unity must encompass three dimensions: faith, sacraments, and ministry.

He is convinced that Orthodox and Catholics already “share a common faith, properly defined in the Nicene–Constantinopolitan Creed, and have reached mutual understanding regarding the sacraments. The principal focus now concerns the structure of the Church, that is, ministry.”

“It is precisely the question of ministries – more specifically, papal primacy and infallibility – that remains the main obstacle on the path to full unity. However, work continues: in 2023, an important document on synodality and primacy in the second millennium was published. At present, texts devoted to papal infallibility and the question of the ‘Filioque’ – the divergence in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit – are being prepared,” Destivelle reported.

He emphasized that “this dialogue, though conducted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, concerns all Orthodox Churches.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew and the Pope signed a declaration outlining the path toward full communion.

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