Catholic and Orthodox ecumenical officers seek Christian unity
In May, representatives from Catholic and Orthodox ecumenical offices held a meeting to explore opportunities for collaboration between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Their aim was to promote Christian unity in a productive manner.
Father Philip Latronico, chair of the Archdiocesan Commission on Interreligious Affairs; Father Luke Edelen OSB, chair of the Archdiocesan Commission on Christian Unity; and Commission member Dr. Peter Ahr met on May 19 in the offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in New York City with Protopresbyter Nicolas Kazarian, Ecumenical Officer and Director of the Department on Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Both Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America have shown a strong commitment to ecumenism and share the desires of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew to work towards overcoming historical differences between our churches. The group agreed that the Nicene Creed is a testament to our shared common faith, and it is our responsibility to strive towards unity.
The group agreed that in the Archdiocese of Newark, where Greek and other Orthodox churches are located near Roman Catholic parishes, a beneficial first steep would be for the clergy to personally get to know each other. By doing so, they can explore ways in which their parishes can collaborate on addressing common local issues.
In addition, 2025 will mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first Ecumenical Council. It will be a fitting occasion for Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches to join in common celebration of their common faith as expressed in the Nicene Creed. That same year, both the Gregorian calendar used by Roman Catholics and the Julian calendar used by the Orthodox churches call for the celebration of Easter on the same date of April 20. This will be a rare occasion for all Christian churches to celebrate Easter together, “with one accord and in the same manner,” as was wished by the Fathers of the Council of Nicaea.
Brother Thomas Aquinas Hall, O.S.B. is a monk of The Benedictine Abbey of Newark.
Featured image: From left are: Father Philip Latronico, executive secretary of the Ecumenical Commission; Father Luke Edelen OSB, Commission chair; Dr. Peter G. Ahr, Professor emeritus SHU, and Commission member; and Father Protopresbyter Nicolas Kazarian, Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America shown on May 19 at a meeting in Manhattan.
