Catholic and Orthodox bishops engage in dialogue and prayer at Washington, D.C., ecumenical conference

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox bishops gathered in Washington, D.C., for an ecumenical conference organized by the Orientale Lumen Foundation. The event, held July 13–15 at the St. John Paul II National Shrine, featured discussions and prayers aimed at fostering unity between the Eastern and Western churches. The foundation, founded by Eastern Catholic Jack Figel, was named after St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter expressing hope for reunification.

Participants included representatives from both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, such as Archbishop Flavio Pace, the Vatican’s secretary for promoting Christian unity, and Metropolitan Tikhon Mollard, primate of the Orthodox Church in America. The conference included joint panels and prayer services, with bishops from both traditions participating in Eastern liturgical practices, including a moleben to the Holy Spirit, daily vespers, and the Akathist to the Mother of God.

Figel emphasized the long-standing tension between East and West, stating that reunification “all depends on the Holy Spirit.” He described the process as “a miracle and it’s going to be on God’s time.” The event reflected ongoing efforts to bridge theological differences, including the work of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

Recent popes have maintained friendly relations with Eastern Orthodox patriarchs, and the commission continues to address unresolved theological disputes. In 2024, the commission established two subcommittees to examine papal infallibility and the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed. These issues remain central to the dialogue, with Catholics and Orthodox holding differing views on their theological implications.

Source: Read the original report