“What do we have to learn from relations between Catholics and Orthodox?”

Brother Patrice Mahieu is a monk from Solesmes and a member of the mixed Catholic-Orthodox committee of France.

He studied ecumenical theology at the Catholic Institute of Paris, at the Saint-Serge Orthodox Institute and at the Protestant Institute of Theology.

He is the author of several works including

"In search of unity - Dialogue of friendship between a Catholic and an Orthodox"

Should we wait any longer? Can we wait any longer? When will Catholics and Orthodox bear witness to the world of their rediscovered unity? When will they be able to show that their differences are no longer oppositions but the manifestation of a fullness of life?

Over the years, relations between Orthodox and Catholics have continued to deepen, with ups and downs, even within the Churches.

The theological dialogue which explores the areas of doctrinal dissension has continued at all levels, national, international, even if currently turbulence has appeared, following canonical questions between Orthodox Churches.

Even embarrassed, the process is still going on, which made the Patriarch of Constantinople say that sooner or later the union between Catholics and Orthodox is inevitable.

Inevitable or desirable like the desert in lack of water?

But who are we not to recognize the limits of human intelligence in making definitive statements about the intimate life of God?

Brother Patrice Mahieu

The Question of the Procession of the Holy Spirit, the

, was discussed in depth by the North American Theological Dialogue in 2003. But who are we not to recognize the limits of human intelligence in making definitive statements about the intimate life of God? Reflection also continues on the relationship between synodality and primacy, in the light of what was experienced in the first millennium. This affects the pope's place in a Church where Catholics and Orthodox will be in communion. The Orthodox Church is currently experiencing a disturbed synodality with patriarchates no longer in eucharistic communion with each other. The question of the procession of the Holy Spirit, the Filioque, was dealt with in depth by the North American theological dialogue in 2003. But who are we not to recognize the limits of thehuman intelligence in formulating definitive affirmations about the intimate life of God? Reflection also continues on the relationship between synodality and primacy, in the light of what was experienced in the first millennium. This affects the pope's place in a Church where Catholics and Orthodox will be in communion. The Orthodox Church is currently experiencing a disturbed synodality with patriarchates no longer in eucharistic communion with each other. The Catholic Church has embarked on a synodal process focused precisely on the question of synodality, communion and mission, to overcome a deficit of synodality. It would still be necessary that our German Catholic brothers do not discredit the synodal process by what is happening in their country! The Catholic Church isis engaged in a synodal process focused precisely on the question of synodality, communion and mission, to remedy a deficit of synodality. It would still be necessary that our German Catholic brothers do not discredit the synodal process by what is happening in their country!

But is careful, demanding, necessary theological reflection sufficient?

Is adherence to precise theological definitions the last, decisive word that will allow a rediscovered communion between Catholics and Orthodox?

While being careful not to relativize the demands of truth, we can answer resolutely: No!

The most urgent thing is to resume a life in common, to give ever greater importance to friendship in our relations, at all levels: the Pope with the patriarchs, the Orthodox bishops with the Catholic bishops, the priests and all the faithful, Orthodox and Catholics.

We can refer to an emblematic friendship between Saint Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, the one that was established during their meeting in Jerusalem in January 1964.

Brother Patrice Mahieu

Friendship requires openness of heart, respect for the mystery of the other, a priori trust, and a prophetic vision that allows one to anticipate in daily life what is desired for the future.

Friendship, in its audacity, is patient, and the faithful know how to respect the disciplinary norms of the Churches, which avoids exacerbating the fears and oppositions that block everything.

We can refer to an emblematic friendship between Saint Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, the one that was established during their meeting in Jerusalem in January 1964.

This friendship continued in letters, exchanges, meetings, preciously preserved in the Book of Love,

.

Shouldn't this friendship be refracted everywhere and constantly inspire fraternal relations between Orthodox and Catholics?

To recognize each other as brothers and sisters, as sister Churches cannot be limited to abstract affirmations, but must be incarnated in life...

Brother Patrice Mahieu

Such is the way that is proposed to us at this moment in the history of the Churches and of the world so that the goal may be reached: a rediscovered communion which is sealed and nourished in the sharing of the true Body and the true Blood of Jesus Christ. during the common celebration of the Eucharist.

Theological advances can only bear fruit in a climate of trust and in a life already shared. Recognizing one another as brothers and sisters, as sister Churches cannot be limited to abstract affirmations, but must be incarnated in life, that is to say in the care that one takes for each other, in the joy that fills our hearts when we are together, when we share our human and spiritual concerns, when we bear witness together to the life of Christ who dwells in us, before millions of people, some our door, who have moved away from it or who have never known it.

Friendship involves praying for each other, and also praying together as brothers and sisters of the same Father. It also implies that we marvel at what the Lord accomplishes in others, that we value what is better experienced in them than in us. Friendship offers no corner for calculations, for interested comparisons, for sadness in the face of what the other has and what I don't have. And by paraphrasing the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 13, we can affirm:

Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters, we are a gift for each other.

Let us live the gift of friendship and the God of friendship will accompany us and unite us in his life.