...is seeking to re-incorporate certain breakoffs from its jursidiction during the 1500s? Aren't the powers-that-be setting the groundwork by agreeing on several key foundations of faith before proceeding with the reunion of Faiths?

More insight would be helpful.

Thanks

image credit

Which one(s)?

Apologies for the obviously EOC-centric image...


[This message has been edited by jkotinek (edited 10/8/2008 8:04a).]

There are ecumenical efforts not only within the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox, but also between Catholics and Protestants.

There is a lot more that unites the faiths than separates, and people realize that. I believe that eventually the protestant and catholic faiths will ultimately unite. It's amazing how many changes are already evident just in observing the worship practices of protestants and catholics.

by the way, were you aware that a number of the protestant faiths already share the same scripture readings with catholics each Sunday?

I think it's great! I grew up Catholic though my wife and I currently go to a Lutheran MizSyn Church in the area. We go to their traditional service in the morning, because I like the structure, the Eucharist sacrament, the traditional hymns, etc. and the pastor is great...

I think between the Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Catholics there were about 11-12 fundamentals of faith they were putting into "dogma" of interfaith worhsip. I even think they were reconciling so that as a Catholic I could take communion, be married, etc. in a Lutheran Church and the Holy See would recognize it (not really worried about that last part, it is inconsequential to me, but it would be nice as well if it happened, because it would signal that the Church is mending some of its illogical laws).

Real Communion with the Eastern Orthodox is close (basically repairing the schism of 1054).

Pope to Patriarch: We need unity faster

This would, frankly, be healing to the Body of Christ.

Also look to the Anglican Communion, those that are faithfull to the Christian faith, to be in Communion with Rome again in the next several decades.

I think, apart from those traditional communions, recovering unity among other Reformation communions is trickier but not impossible.

John 17
20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Recently there has been much headway in the restoration of communion with the Catholic and Coptic Churches.

For the traditional Orthodox Rites, such as Greek, Assyrian, and especially Russian, progress has been slower but it is certainly being made.

As Seamaster said, Protestant/Catholic is much more tricky but not out of the question; but I doubt I will live long enough to see it.