Benedict XVI’s Ecumenical Dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox Church

Abstract

The author of this article presents Benedict XVI’s ecumenical dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox Church as a whole through the speeches, declarations, and homilies that he delivered to representatives of the Eastern Church. This dialogue is undoubtedly significant. As a pope, Benedict XVI fostered and authoritatively promoted this interchange by initiating meetings, participating in communal prayer, teaching, treating those who he encountered with fraternal friendship and charity, and overcoming various obstacles. The Holy Father emphasized the theological studies that the two Churches share in common, because complete and visible communion cannot exist without unity of faith. As always – and particularly as the theologian and as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – he taught that both Churches could celebrate the Eucharist together only when they are fully united. When would this happen? According to Benedict XVI, such union is a gift from God for which the faithful must pray and toward which they must work by: evangelizing together, mutually resisting ideologies hostile to Christianity and humanity, ensuring peace and justice among Christians and those who follow other religions, and cooperating in charitable care of the poor, the sick, and the needy.