Understand The Times, International

Comment from UTT:

The pathway to ecumenical unity is now on the fast track. When the Orthodox Church heads home to Rome, it will not be long before Anglicans, Lutherans and others will follow.

While ecumenists keep talking about desiring unity in the body of Christ, the unity the pope and the Roman Catholic Church promote, means home to Rome with the pope in charge.

In the future, expect to hear more about Eucharistic union with Rome and the significance of messages that come from Marian apparitions calling for all churches to unite for the cause of peace.

June 30 - Pope, Orthodox leader appeal for Christian unity

Article: Ecumenical Movement - Misc.

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I renewed their appeals for Christian unity on Sunday during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Benedict led the ceremony alongside the leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians and expressed the "common hope of seeing the day of unity draw near."

While acknowledging key differences, Benedict has made healing the 1,000-year-old rift with the Orthodox a priority of his papacy. In his speech, Bartholomew said that dialogue between the two branches of Christianity is continuing, despite "numerous difficulties" and that he was praying for these obstacles to be overcome.

Relations remain tense over Orthodox charges of proselytizing and rival property claims in places such as Russia and eastern Europe. However, Benedict and Bartholomew have met several times in an effort to promote or to seek a reconciliation.

Benedict, the leader of the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics, told the crowd that Christian unity is even more important in a world that is increasingly connected by technical means, but is unable to resolve its conflicts. "In today's world there are new instruments of unity which, however, also create new conflicts and give new strength to old ones," he said. "In the midst of this external unity, based on material goods, we have an even greater need for interior unity, which comes from the peace of God."

After the Mass, Benedict and Bartholomew silently prayed together underneath the basilica at the tomb the faithful believe houses the remains of the apostle Peter.