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Good interview. I would like to emphasize that communion on Orthodoxy is not just solely based on a shared spiritual experience but also firmly grounded on "complete" agreement on dogmatic faith.

Wow! I am Catholic, I am loving this guy. I grew up in Alaska where the Russian Orthodox Church is hugely prominent historically and still today in every day life in many communities. It was always a positive influence for me.

We can only hope in Christ this comes to be resolved

We all need to be humble and repent, especially me. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us.

As a Catholic, I identify so much with this orthodox priest and longing for reunion

"I’ve had people come to me who suggested: “All of us who believe in Christ should form one religion”. I said to them: Now what you’re telling me is to take gold and copper - gold of so many carats quality - which they [the Church Fathers] took so much trouble to purify, and then gather the metals and melt them into one mass. Is it right to mix them together again?" - St. Paisios the Athonite

This is wonderful. Thanks Austin. As to Kyiv, I bet you're not surprised to hear that Constantinople has a nuanced narrative concerning this current crisis. I am convinced that God, in His love for us, grants us the freedom to enter into these conflicts to call us to humility and repentance. The gift of unity flows to the humble and the penitent. All external divisions reduce to the reality of our own divided hearts. The internal brokenness of our own lives always manifests themselves in the external divisions that rightly call us to repentance!

". . .at least mourn the separation, that would be nice. . ." Amen to that. Also loved what Fr said regarding 'one loaf in the city'. Sending lots of love to Catholic brothers and sisters and truly mourning our separation. God bless you all.

This is random but someone needs to tell Father Laurent that he MUST do audiobook recordings. I LOVE his voice!

I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy this one, thanks Austin!

Again, an uplifting and edifying program. I appreciate how you try to use your interlocutors terms & vocabulary in order to experience his understanding and not just mentally understand it. It’s a humble approach, and a challenge to me personally in my life.

Fr Laurent reminds me of John Meyendorff in his outlook towards ecumenism, I do hope that my Catholic brothers and sisters can strive to unite once more and heal the body of Christ. Thanks so much for organising this!

I pray for this! I want to be in communion with my Orthodox brothers and sisters!

Good job on a difficult topic. Not much discussion though about theological differences that are barriers to unity and I would like a follow-up on the filioque, adoration, apparitions, original sin, fasting, monastic rules, celibacy, divorce, wedding vows (Orthodox don’t have vows), determination of who is a qualified Saint, confession, modernism. All these have points of difference that can be very significant! I know... it’s a long list but the almost 30 years that I have been Orthodox (Protestant Convert) the more nuanced is differences in Catholic and Orthodox Theology. We Orthodox are afraid for sure of Rome swallowing us whole. It’s a fear that Rome would disrespect and try to I erase the suffering in the Middle East under the Ottoman’s... the communist massacre of tens of thousands of Orthodox Nun’s, Priests, Monks and Bishops (plus laypeople lost in gulag’s). Catholics have suffered too, but in the Middle East, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox still suffer persecution and death. Walk into my convert parish in Colorado and there are 20-30 Greeks, Russians, Georgians that left communism or persecution. In my daughters parish it’s a diaspora of Palestinian Orthodox, Egyptians and Eritreans. This diaspora is fresh and makes dialogue difficult because feelings are still sensitive.

I think this has been my favorite gospel simplicity discussion so far

Unity based on compromise is not unity. The Orthodox church would love for the Catholic church to come back into communion but not at the expense of the truth. That is why ecumenism does not work. Unless error is corrected or recanted there can be no communion. Im a recent convert to Orthodoxy, and this was an issue as a protestant that I at one point thought "whats the big deal?" But when it comes to Truth and preserving the faith, there can be no unity in error. I lament the schism which ultimately led to the reformation. I long for unity with everything within me, but not at the expense of the deposit of the Faith that has been handed down.

The reunification is happening now. Many faithful Christians are coming to the Orthodox Church. My ROCOR parish is primarily Catholic and Protestant converts, but it also includes cradle Orthodox from Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Greece.

Thanks Austin for all your content! A fan from the Netherlands here!

Fr. Laurent is active with Humboldt State University students (where I went to college, in northern California) when he invites Religious Studies majors to the Orthodox Church. We've also had him lecture as a guest. He's very intelligent and approachable and I was glad he is in our small community.

Love your channel and loved your interview with Keith yesterday

Fr Laurent seems to be one of the most honest speaking Orthodox I've heard from in a while, God willing we may learn from this man to be humble and honest regarding our dialogue with the Catholics. God bless.

When people think of “the Lord’s Prayer” they instinctively think of the “Our Father” - but the Lords actual prayer is “that they be one just as you and I are one” - so unity as father says is the desire or the mind of Christ. That being said - our Lord must have created a vehicle for this unity. Father gives us much food for thought - another great and thought provoking discussion Austin!

I am a Christian Orthodox (Greek orthodox) and I am in favor of a true, benevolent and honest dialogue with the Catholic Church - at the end of the day, we are sisters and brothers in Christ. Not only from a theological perspective - which of course is important- but also from a historical one, namely the consequences of the Sack of Constantinople in 1204, its collective trauma for the Greek speaking orthodox Christians and the efforts and steps for reconciliation (for instance the return of important relics and artifacts, stolen by the crusaders)

Wonderful Interview!

Ohhh I’m excited for this one

It will definitely not be in my lifetime but it is my heartfelt prayer that my Church now (The Orthodox Church ) could reunify with the Church of my and family and heritage (the Catholic Church )

I am very glad to see you! I am especially glad to see the icons in your office! We have a very wary attitude towards ecumenism. In our understanding, the Church is the visible unity of Christians - that is, people chosen by God. Therefore, we think like this: There can be only one Church, according to our understanding, the Church is the Orthodox Church. Of course, we calmly understand that other people can see the Truth not in Orthodoxy, and even more, they do not recognize the very principle of the uniqueness of the Confession. And this difference does not interfere with the dialogue, but, on the contrary, is a pretext for it. However, we see a certain kind of difference between such talk and ecumenism. For us, ecumenism sounds like a synonym for attempts to unite around dogmatic differences. For example - to start performing joint prayers.

Great show, another great guest idea, would be Fr. Stephen De Young a PHD and Orthodox Priest who's new book The religion of the Apostles is amazing. I believe all your listeners would be fascinated to hear a bible scholar like Dr. Michael Heiser and who is also a early Church Fathers and 2nd Temple Jewish scholar etc.

I pray to Jesus that we will all be reunited again. As a catholic I wish the best for my protestant and orthodox brothers and sisters and one day be in Heaven together. I just want to let you all know I love you all and I hope you have an awesome day. Viva christo rey!

Sure thing, Austin. I'd enjoy this

I truly enjoy such conversations. My being on the conservative side of that dialogue means that I see the Catholic Church as the main reason why this would be impossible. Meaning - I believe catholics would never be ready to set aside the biggest differences between the Church and Catholicism - the infalliability of the pope, being the main one. However, I do pray that I am wrong and that better times come upon us so we could all be reunited in the Church. I would also like to express my admiration for your openness to such discussions. I've had a hard time communicating with my protestant and evangelical friends when it comes to origins of the Church, worship, and history. God bless you!

New to this channel!. Thanks for hosting this and many others discussions Austin! They are being very helpful in my spiritual journey. I am learning a lot from your guests :D Regards from Spain

Anybody knows what canon of what council father was referring in 35:11 ?

"That they may all be one, just 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 have sent me." John 17:21 Let us answer the prayer of Jesus.

I like your introduction Austin

Many thanks. Amen to unity. We have no idea really what it will look like and how it will come about only God knows. Working with all our Christian brothers and sisters is a start. I love and agree the comment 'where we live.' So true.🙏🙏🙏

God bless you 🙏

"The mind of Christ is that in every city, there would be one Eucharista, one loaf of bread, one cup, one bishop, one presbyterate; and if we don't have that in our town, then the will of God isn't actualized. So what are we doing to make the will of the Lord a reality in our city?" Please pray for unity.

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this video. Fr. Laurent's love for both Orthodox and Catholic churches rings through. I hope soon to acquire his book, along with a few others by Orthodox authors. As a side note, Austin, just curious: Are you familiar with Metropolitan Kallistos Ware? I think he would be an excellent person to have on your channel sometime.

I greately appreciate his work. Sometimes I get the sense that the reunion effort is mostly one sided, being promoted by Rome and at best ignored by the East.

I for one would say that a reunion of both parties would make them a force to be reckoned with.

We are united to Christ by grace through faith.

Fr Cleenewerck’s book gave me an odd sense of solace last here in DC when things were tightly shut down and I found myself with a lot of time to really look at my Catholicism in relation to the claims of Eastern Orthodoxy. I felt a very brotherly spirit in the Father’s writing, and certainly made me look more seriously into Orthodoxy’s claims-now I find myself looking in the DMV area for a Greek Catholic/Byzantine Rite parish, and I truly have Father Cleenewerck as well as Kallistos Ware to thank!

@Gospel Simplicity - having done this interview and understanding the issues with the N.O. they also have, do you now understand why Traditional Catholics take issue with it? I know you thought it was off putting at first, but now can you see it comes from a place of righteousness? Our Lord deserves all respect and reverence.

Another incredible episode to add to my shortlist of GS GOATs! 🐐 I learned so much from this discussion. I feel it necessary, however, to voice a pushback on the marginalization of Vatican II and Pope Francis. I will offer the scandalous suggestion that the Church is more than theology and ecclesiology [open lions den, step in]... The church has a great pastoral role as well. I feel that a great strength of Vatican II and especially Pope Francis is a renewed and expanded commitment to the pastoral role of the church. Sadly, even within the Catholic Church there is a fundamentalist spirit that is at odds with the Living Magisterium. Cardinal Newman recognized that there is a development of doctrine. The church grows. It does not look exactly as it did 2000 years ago - in the same way a grown man does not look like a child. PS Kudos for not mentioning even once the Filioque! Now bring on the lions...

You may be interested to know that in the Eucharistic Prayer of the 1962 Latin Mass Liturgy we pray for union with the orthodox. The prayer was altered in the Novus Ordo and dropped the reference to the orthodox. It goes "We, therefore, humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, that Thou wouldst accept and bless these gifts, these presents, these holy unspotted sacrifices, which, in the first place, we offer Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church, which Thou mayst vouchsafe to pacify, guard, unite and govern throughout the world: together with Thy Servant N., our Pope, N. our Bishop, as also all orthodox believers and promoters of the Catholic and Apostolic faith."

The Eastern Orthodox Church is *officially* called the Orthodox Catholic Church. This is the name by which the Church refers to itself in its liturgical or canonical texts. The longer name for the Church is actually Holy, Orthodox, Catholic, (and) Apostolic Church.

@Gospel Simplicity -- Hey Austin! Just wanted to share a quick thought. My name is Camila, a student of Theology at Notre Dame just a couple of hours down East! I'm Catholic, mixed origins but pretty much Catholic. There was a time in which I *almost* went Orthodox, and didn't because of John Henry Newman. You should *really* look into him. He's amazing! So so grateful for all the gifts I've found in the Catholic Church since choosing to remain here (ADORATION-Exposition for instance! Really really life-changing). The river has become clearer through time because God has always guided her and never failed to stay in the Catholic Church as He promised. I'm kind of new to your channel but I love it so far. So sorry if I'm repeating something I have not yet seen!!

I am a raised Roman Catholic that converted to Orthodoxy and now is returning to communion with Rome but within the Byzantine Catholic Church... Orthodox in practice and belief, communion with Rome in the spirit and pursuit of One Church. There are so many discussions that could take place, but the truth is that in the end, there should be no division within the Church and we should strive for that. May Lord Have Mercy on All of Us

Hello austin...I'm from Indonesia..Can you make an Indonesian translation in every video you make?🙏

I have the Greek new testament bible it's a really great version IMHO in fact my favourite, so awesome to hear from the author himself as well.

Just noticed you have the same good shepherd icon as I do!

Humility.

I might have been a bit more open to what Fr. Laurent had to say here if he didn’t open with, “The Orthodox Church has a dysfunctional ecclesiology” (please note I’m paraphrasing). Reunion is a great thing to strive for but it can’t happen on anything other than who is Truth: Christ. As Christ is One, so the Church is One. We can’t speak of the Church as two united in some aspect but not in all, especially when such separation is in terms of Faith.

Really liked his vision. I would like to see a conversation with him and Fr Peter Heers, who seems to be a strong voice against ecumenism, albeit not in any way I've seen to be absolutely closed off to reasonable avenues. I think such a discussion could help highlight the potential path forward that would work for Orthodox Churches. AND after that maybe you could get Dr Gavin Ortland involved so we can all unite! Come on Austin you can get this party started! ;D

I really like his NT translation. It’s a shame the LXX was never finished :(

The Church Militant can only be on track when it follows in the Spirit and Tradition of the Church Triumphant

Austin, you should contact Erin Doom, who is the director of Eighth Day Institue out of Wichita, KS. It is a organization that Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants come together to discuss theological topics. It has been around for almost 15 years now. Your audience may find it quite intersting to hear about it, and its work.

Ooooof very excited for this! ☦️

Imagine if Austin could interview the Pope ... with a translator of course haha

Our Catholic priests can only Confirm at Easter Vigil and on Pentecost. The ordinary for Confirmation is the Bishop.

Thanks Jesus. Praise and glory to God. God Bless. Jesus Christ, is the name of God. He lives. Praise and Bless God's holy name.

Interview Fr. Spyridon next.

I'm a sinner, I really am

Austin, thank you for the interview w Father Laurent. I agree with his observation that the Eucharist is the Church along with the Body of Christ. I listened at night twice and may have fallen asleep so if my question has been addressed in the interview my apologies. Did Father ever discuss the Filioque? It was inserted in the 800s in Spain to clarify Jesus as true God and true man in the battle against Arianism and later picked up by the Latin rite aka Rome. The Lord must be patiently waiting for us to get past our sibling rivalry. If you interview him again would love to hear more about Orthodox objections compared with Eastern Rite Orthodox in communion w Rome. Don't know how you do your studies and interviews. I would think you must get exhausted. Thanks for all your hard work.

My comments keep disappearing on youtube app: Please can you do a talk with Father Spyridon Bailey? Also I do not think we will reunite until the papacy/Rome repents of their theological innovations and returns to Orthodoxy as it once was which we should pray for. One should not sacrifice sound doctrine and truth for the illusion of unity.

I am a Baptist and have really enjoyed your conversations with Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believers. Do you have interest in talking with Eastern Catholics and or Oriental orthodox believers? I recently finished The Lost History of Christianity, The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church - and How It Died, By: Philip Jenkins and was moved to learn more about non European Christianity. Of course seeing you help Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Mennonite, Lutheran, etc... believers understand each other better would be great as well. To take it even further Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Rastafarians also claim Christ, through I would not call them Christians. The Jewish and Islamic faiths also have much in common with us. Not to detract from the audience and network of connections you've built but similar content from the church universal, aka all Christians, and or other faiths of the book would be valuable to me :) God bless you for all your work and service for the Kingdom.

This priest speaks of the only severe defect of the Catholic church as Vatican II liturgical worship problems. But what about all the theological defects that have hindered the union? Original sin theology? Filioque? Immaculate conception? Papal infallibility? These aren’t major defects? What do the 20th and 21st century saints say about these issues? It’s clear that the Orthodox want unity of the church. But at What cost? As people have mentioned, the church fathers fought to keep heresies out of the church.

As someone who is looking into Orthodoxy and is put off by this "we're the true church and everyone else is heretical"-type ecclesiology, I have to say that this man's approach is quite refreshing.

Hello, @Gospel Simplicity. I am a Brazilian Orthodox. The priest was very correct in saying that he longs for the unity of the Church like that of the first millennium. And we should really pray for the unity of the Body. Unfortunately I am pessimistic about such a unity today - and Father was right to mention the difficulty of the Second Vatican Council - because it is difficult for Rome to revoke the numerous ecclesiological and doctrinal innovations that separate us today. On the contrary, it is with great sadness that I see these innovations being assimilated by Constantinople in wanting to set itself up as a kind of orthodox pope. Lamentable! Unfortunately we have reached the times when the Church will become less and less - a remnant.

orthodox have difficult to criticize themselves: yeah, catholics have this and that problem, pope Francis etc, but rarely do they say a word about their own shortcomings - they are the heavenluy church on reath, so, no criticism is welcome

Dang that was good.

I like the hologram idea

I really enjoyed reading His Broken Body by Fr. Laurent Cleenewerck.

There is nothing rome has that orthodoxy lacks in terms of doctrine and hermeneutics, except of course degeneracy & a bent knee to modernity. Now, I am interested in bringing as many RCs back into the true orthodox Church as possible, but when u not only have a pope, but one that is openly heretical (and that's biting my tongue) and a church created by splitting off the true church because of forgeries, lies, heresies, & degeneracy... Joining the true church to theirs would be a very bad move

Singing kumbayah would be the deal breaker for me. (Someone’s yawning Lord, kumbayah, someone’s yawning Lord, kumbayah etc…)

I have an honest question. Are all the Orthodox Churches the same in their beliefs and practices? Meaning Russian, Greek, etc.? I know that the Roman Catholic Church is the same no matter where in the world it is and am curious if the same is true of the Orthodox? I hope that makes sense as I'm trying to learn. Thanks!

You were saying at the beginning about Orthodox people being against ecumenism. First of all, we have a background, a history of martyrdom. In our churches we are taught about those who sacrifice themselves for the fate even when the enemy wasn't from outside but from inside. So when you create a culture of making every faithful a protector of the faith, of course people will be extra careful about the idea of unity with those who already separated from us. Second of all, how can you not be anti-change in the Church? Just look at the schism between Constantinople and Moscow. Why is there this schism? Because of struggle for power. So why we would have faith in any choice these bishops do? Third, we have a bunch of saints who become martyrs because of Catholics. This is a wound in the Church which is very hard to heal. I don't know how it is in other countries but Romanian Eastern Catholic branch is a wound for the Romanian Orthodox people because they appeared mostly because of political reasons. Changing the topic, I really love these kind of videos. There are not many youtube channels who would be so open discussing with people from multiple denomination or discuss about hard topics like ecumenism. We like it or not but there is Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism, Oriental Orthodoxy and we need to stop ignore them or throw all of them to Hell. Regarding ecumenism I would also be interested a discussion regarding the Oriental Orthodox Churches and their relationship with Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Sadly many people think that Oriental Orthodox Churches are the same (or in communion) with Eastern Orthodox Churches just because they have Orthodox in the name.

Can’t wait for this! This would truly change the world. I have to say though it makes me so sad seeing people (I’m sorry but only Greek orthodox) so far not even being open to this. If both churches came together in true humble faith and really really tried to unite the church and let the Holy Spirit guide us, no doubt the church would be United. I strongly believe us being United again would change the world in a lot of beautiful ways! God wants unity. Division is one of Satans favorite tactics.

One Lord, one faith, one baptism... (eph. 4:5

(Regarding the dogmatic question of the procession of the Holy Spirit in the filioque and the separation of East and West) “From a religious point of view it is the sole issue of importance in the chain of events which terminated the separation…(this is) a spiritual commitment, a conscious taking of sides in a matter of faith.” Vladimir Lossky Mystical Theology. I would recommend this, or his 'Dogmatic Theology' to dig deeper into Orthodoxy that you've already pursued.

The question about reuniting was already resolved centuries ago. How could we think we are smarter than the people from long ago? How could we just brush away what they decided? Also, if someone is interested in the other church/group no one is stopping him/her from leaving one and going to the other.

JPII and Patriarch of Constantinople: "Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (I Cor 16: 13-14). 1. In the spirit of faith in Christ and the reciprocal love that unites us, we thank God for this gift of our new meeting that is taking place on the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and witnesses to our firm determination to continue on our way towards full communion with one another in Christ. 2. Many positive steps have marked our common journey, starting above all with the historical event that we are recalling today: the embrace of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, on 5 and 6 January 1964. We, their Successors, are meeting today to commemorate fittingly before God that blessed encounter, now part of the history of the Church, faithfully recalling it and its original intentions. 3. The embrace in Jerusalem of our respective Predecessors of venerable memory visibly expressed a hope that dwells in all hearts, as the Communiqué declared: "With eyes turned to Christ, together with the Father, the Archetype and Author of unity and of peace, they pray God that this encounter may be the sign and prelude of things to come for the glory of God and the enlightenment of his faithful people. After so many centuries of silence, they have now met with the desire to do the Lord's will and to proclaim the ancient truth of his Gospel, entrusted to the Church" (Common Declaration of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I, Tomos Agapis, Vatican-Phanar, 1971, n. 50, p. 120). 4. Unity and Peace! The hope kindled by that historic encounter has lit up our journey in these last decades. Aware that the Christian world has suffered the tragedy of separation for centuries, our Predecessors and we ourselves have persevered in the "dialogue of charity", our gaze turned to that blessed, shining day on which it will be possible to communicate with the same cup of the precious Blood and the holy Body of the Lord (cf. Patriarch Athenagoras I, Address to Pope Paul VI [5 January 1964], ibid., n. 48, p. 109). The many ecclesial events that have punctuated these past years have put on firm foundations the commitment to brotherly love: a love which, in learning from past lessons, may be ready to forgive, more inclined to believe in good than in evil and intent first and foremost on complying with the Divine Redeemer and in being attracted and transformed by him (Address of Pope Paul VI to Patriarch Athenagoras I [6 January 1964], ibid., n. 49, p. 117). 5. Let us thank the Lord for the exemplary gestures of reciprocal love, participation and sharing that he has granted us to make; among them, it is only right to recall the Pope's Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios in 1979, when the creation of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and all the Orthodox Churches was announced at the Phanar, a further step to sustain the "dialogue of truth" with the "dialogue of charity"; Patriarch Dimitrios' visit to Rome in 1987; our meeting in Rome on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul in 1995, when we prayed in St Peter's, despite the painful separation during the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy, since we cannot yet drink from the same chalice of the Lord. Then, more recently, there was the meeting at Assisi for the "Day of Prayer for Peace in the World", and the Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics for the Safeguard of Creation, signed on 10 June 2002 [in the context of the Fourth Symposium on Ecology: The Adriatic Sea: a Sea at Risk - Unity of Purpose]. 6. Despite our firm determination to journey on towards full communion, it would have been unrealistic not to expect obstacles of various kinds: doctrinal, first of all, but also the result of conditioning by a troubled history. In addition, the new problems which have emerged from the radical changes that have occurred in political and social structures have not failed to make themselves felt in relations between the Christian Churches. With the return to freedom of Christians in Central and Eastern Europe, old fears have also been reawakened, making dialogue difficult. Nonetheless, St Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians: let all things be done in charity, must always be vibrant within us and between us. 7. The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and all the Orthodox Churches, created with so much hope, has marked our progress in recent years. It is still a suitable instrument for studying the ecclesiological and historical problems that are at the root of our difficulties, and for identifying hypothetical solutions to them. It is our duty to persevere in the important commitment to reopen the work as soon as possible. In examining the reciprocal initiatives of the offices of Rome and of Constantinople with this in view, we ask the Lord to sustain our determination, and to convince everyone of how essential it is to pursue the "dialogue of truth". 8. Our meeting in Rome today also enables us to face certain problems and misunderstandings that have recently surfaced. The long experience of the "dialogue of charity" comes to our aid precisely in these circumstances, so that difficulties can be faced serenely without slowing or clouding our progress on the journey we have undertaken towards full communion in Christ. 9. Before a world that is suffering every kind of division and imbalance, today's encounter is intended as a practical and forceful reminder of the importance for Christians and for the Churches to coexist in peace and harmony, in order to witness in agreement to the message of the Gospel in the most credible and convincing way possible. 10. In the special context of Europe, moving in the direction of higher forms of integration and expansion towards the East of the Continent, we thank the Lord for this positive development and express the hope that in this new situation, collaboration between Catholics and Orthodox may grow. There are so many challenges to face together in order to contribute to the good of society: to heal with love the scourge of terrorism, to instil a hope of peace, to help set aright the multitude of grievous conflicts; to restore to the European Continent the awareness of its Christian roots; to build true dialogue with Islam, since indifference and reciprocal ignorance can only give rise to diffidence and even hatred; to nourish an awareness of the sacred nature of human life; to work to ensure that science does not deny the divine spark that every human being receives with the gift of life; to collaborate so that our earth may not be disfigured and that Creation may preserve the beauty with which it has been endowed by God; but above all, to proclaim the Gospel Message with fresh vigour, showing contemporary men and women how the Gospel can help them rediscover themselves and to build a more human world. 11. Let us pray to the Lord to give peace to the Church and to the world, and to imbue our journey towards full communion with the wisdom of his Spirit, "ut unum in Christo simus" [so that we may be one in Christ]. From the Vatican, 29 June 2004

@Gospel Simplicity you should reach out to John Maddex from Ancient Faith Radio for an interview. You likely already know about him, but he used to be attached to Moody, running their radio stations.

It is possible for Orthodox and Catholics to be in communion (not necessarily unified), treat the Pope as just another Patriarch.

“If we do our part, he [God] will do his part“ No, God is always already faithful, whether or not we do our part.

Catholics would absolutely agree with the fact that every diocese is the entire church there as well. Every Bishop is also Peter in his own diocese. The RCC literally speaks about diocese and Bishops in this way. The Roman pope has however a unifying characteristic in his chair and has a unique position as the direct successor of Peter. He serves as a practical pillar of unity in the church and without him, I think as Orthodoxy very well attest to today, there is no clear unity and only a loose confederation of Churches that have lost the ability to really teach definitively. Also from my understanding presbyters or priests only came into existence because Bishops practically couldnt be everywhere essentially. Maybe im wrong but from my understanding all powers that priests have are endowed upon them by their one bishop. Also in the early church even in the east it was originally only the Bishop who christmated.

Hey Austin, Great video, Fr. Laurent seems genuinely concerned about the topic of reunion and as a Catholic I find that deeply compelling. Have you considered having a dialogue with Michael from R&T to possibly push back on some of the arguments put forward by some of the Orthodox guests you’ve had on the show regarding the Papacy and Rome’s primacy? I think it could be a fruitful discussion since he was once a convert from Catholicism to Orthodoxy and has since (2016ish I believe) come back to the Catholic faith. God bless, Benten

Pope John Paul II contacted both Orthodox Sts. Paisios and Porphyrios in an attempt to meet with him to further increase ecumenical development between east and west, one of the hallmarks of his reign. Guided by the Holy Spirit, both Saints refused with the same answer, even though they had no communication with one another: "The Pope continues to demonstrate egotism, pride and the delusions of Papism and wishes to subject us. He does not believe we have the truth. There is no need for us to go, we can help the situation better with our prayers"

I am not familar with Fr. Laurent Cleenewerck's work. Looking forward to this video.

I would say both Churches need to address the problems within themselves before a real dialogue could ever begin. Constantinople needs to renounce it's meddling in the Ukraine. The Vatican II Church needs to renounce it's liturgical reforms, and hippie feel good teachings.

It almost seemed as if he were saying that you need someone with final authority (like the Pope) to resolve disagreements. He did comment on the dispute between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukraine Orthodox Church.

Ecumenism’s goal is to simply unite everyone who identifies as Christian for the benefit of our created world. Christ’s catholic (universal) Church exists today and is unified. Christian’s just need to join that Church. Ecumenism is the wide gate to destruction. We should choose the narrow and difficult gate that leads to life.

32:00

We all pray that the Church can breathe with both lungs again.

If orthodoxy is the true church which I believe it is how can it then bend and conform to accommodate the heretics as the saints called them. It's about coming back into the orthodox fold one would think. Catholics and orthodox are miles apart in almost every aspect that they don't resemble each other anymore. This is a huge problem.

Sounds good, doesn't work. Let me explain the real Orthodox position from my understanding. We Orthodox care very deeply about how we manifest our faith and the Catholics (which are my brothers and have nothing against them) have diverged too much from the traditions, rituals, dogma. Think of it like a divorced couple who have been divorced for 20 years. While one has tried to remain the same as the day they married, the other has gone too far off. I for one, and everyone I know will never accept the Catholics in their current ways. They have to change many many things to consider even thinking about remarrying. One of us has to change and it won't be the Orthodox. There's a joke going around saying "How many Orthodox do you need to change a lightbulb?" and the answer is "Change? We never change".

Can you see that's why the body of Christ is wounded constantly???😔😔😔

O R T H O D O X R I S I N G