Catholic–Eastern Orthodox relations

The [[Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] broke communion during the [[East–West Schism|East–West Schism of 1054]]. While an informal divide between the East and West existed prior to the split, these were internal disputes, under the umbrella of the recognised “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church” of the [[Nicene Creed]]. It is only after the formal schism of the 11th century that two, distinct churches are seen to exist, and thus commence relations. The split has, on both sides, been immensely lamented,{{Cite book|title=His Broken Body: Understanding and Healing the Schism between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches|last=Cleenewerck|first=Laurent|publisher=Euclid University Consortium Press|year=2008|location=Washington|pages=33}}{{Cite book|title=After Nine Hundred Years: The Background of the Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches|url=https://archive.org/details/afterninehundred00cong|url-access=limited|last=Congar|first=Yves|publisher=Fordham University Press|year=1959|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/afterninehundred00cong/page/n86 73]|isbn=9780585238005 }} for it defeats the exhortation of Jesus Christ “[[that they may all be one]]" (John 17:21). The anguish over the past has spurred both sides, particularly in recent decades, to work towards restoring Christian unity through ecumenical efforts.

The [[Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] broke communion during the [[East–West Schism|East–West Schism of 1054]]. While an informal divide between the East and West existed prior to the split, these were internal disputes, under the umbrella of the recognised “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church” of the [[Nicene Creed]]. It is only after the formal schism of the 11th century that two, distinct churches are seen to exist, and thus commence relations. The split has, on both sides, been immensely lamented,{{Cite book|title=His Broken Body: Understanding and Healing the Schism between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches|last=Cleenewerck|first=Laurent|publisher=Euclid University Consortium Press|year=2008|location=Washington|pages=33}}{{Cite book|title=After Nine Hundred Years: The Background of the Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches|url=https://archive.org/details/afterninehundred00cong|url-access=limited|last=Congar|first=Yves|publisher=Fordham University Press|year=1959|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/afterninehundred00cong/page/n86 73]|isbn=9780585238005 }} for it defeats the exhortation of Jesus Christ “[[that they may all be one]]" (John 17:21). The anguish over the past has spurred both sides, particularly in recent decades, to work towards restoring Christian unity through ecumenical efforts.

Relations between the East and West have warmed over the last century, as both churches embrace a dialogue of charity. The [[Second Vatican Council]] (1962–1965) ushered in a new era of relations for the Roman Church towards the Orthodox Church, fondly describing the Orthodox as “separated brethren” with valid sacraments and an apostolic priesthood.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html|title=Unitatis redintegratio (November 21, 1964)|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=2019-04-29}} The [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Church]], on the other hand, encouraged local churches to prepare for future dialogue in the Third Pan-Orthodox Conference in Rhodes (1964), and has since engaged in several ecumenical efforts with the Vatican.{{Cite web|url=https://www.apostolicpilgrimage.org/-/relations-between-the-catholic-church-and-the-orthodox-church|title=Relations between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church|website=www.apostolicpilgrimage.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024021/https://www.apostolicpilgrimage.org/-/relations-between-the-catholic-church-and-the-orthodox-church|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/BARTHDEC.HTM|title=Declaration signed by Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I (June 29, 1995)|website=www.ewtn.com|access-date=2019-04-29}} Significantly, in 1965 [[Pope Paul VI]] and Ecumenical [[Athenagoras I of Constantinople|Patriarch Athenagoras I]] of Constantinople jointly lifted [[East–West Schism#Mutual excommunication of 1054|the mutual excommunications of 1054]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/speeches/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19651207_common-declaration.html|title=Joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration (December 7, 1965)|website=w2.vatican.va|access-date=2019-04-29}} More recently, in November 2019, the current Patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, has stated he believes Orthodox re-union with the Catholic Church is inevitable."Pat. Bartholomew attempted to convince several Athonite abbots and monks that there are no dogmatic differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, and that reunion with the Catholic church is inevitable." https://orthochristian.com/125924.html {{Better source needed|date=December 2024}}

Relations between the East and West have warmed over the last century, as both churches embrace a dialogue of charity. The [[Second Vatican Council]] (1962–1965) ushered in a new era of relations for the Roman Church towards the Orthodox Church, fondly describing the Orthodox as “separated brethren” with valid sacraments and an apostolic priesthood.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html|title=Unitatis redintegratio (November 21, 1964)|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=2019-04-29}} Likewise, the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Church]] encouraged local churches to prepare for future dialogue in the Third Pan-Orthodox Conference in Rhodes (1964), and has since engaged in several ecumenical efforts with the Vatican.{{Cite web|url=https://www.apostolicpilgrimage.org/-/relations-between-the-catholic-church-and-the-orthodox-church|title=Relations between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church|website=www.apostolicpilgrimage.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024021/https://www.apostolicpilgrimage.org/-/relations-between-the-catholic-church-and-the-orthodox-church|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/BARTHDEC.HTM|title=Declaration signed by Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I (June 29, 1995)|website=www.ewtn.com|access-date=2019-04-29}} Significantly, in 1965 [[Pope Paul VI]] and Ecumenical [[Athenagoras I of Constantinople|Patriarch Athenagoras I]] of Constantinople jointly lifted [[East–West Schism#Mutual excommunication of 1054|the mutual excommunications of 1054]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/speeches/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19651207_common-declaration.html|title=Joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration (December 7, 1965)|website=w2.vatican.va|access-date=2019-04-29}} More recently, in November 2019, the current Patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, has stated he believes Orthodox re-union with the Catholic Church is inevitable."Pat. Bartholomew attempted to convince several Athonite abbots and monks that there are no dogmatic differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, and that reunion with the Catholic church is inevitable." https://orthochristian.com/125924.html {{Better source needed|date=December 2024}}

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