Pope states that ecumenism is not compromise, but Catholic prophecy suggests otherwise

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI made a statement this week that I would like to report and comment about. Here is the news item:

Ecumenism is not compromise, Pope says

Catholic Culture – Nov 18, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of ecumenical work, yet cautioned that ecumenism cannot be seen as a political effort, in a November 18 address to members of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity…

For the Catholic Church, the Pontiff continued, the top priority in ecumenical work is dialogue with the “Orthodox churches and the ancient Eastern churches, with which bonds of the closest intimacy exist.” He reminded his audience that in talks with the Orthodox world, “we have reached a crucial point of confrontation and reflection: the role of the Bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church.”

Speaking more generally about the ecumenical process, the Holy Father warned that it is not “a commitment that falls into what could be called political categories, in which negotiating ability or greater capacity to reach compromise come into play.” Ecumenical talks should seek for the truth, he said, and cannot be satisfied with mediated solutions to controversial problems.

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=8328

As far my commentary, first notice that the pontiff’s first priority is with the Eastern Orthodox. And second that he seems to believe that ecumenical unity can come about without compromise.

But how can that be?

There are many doctrinal differences between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches (see some in the item Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics).

Furthermore, when I was in Istanbul, I visited the compound of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. And while there, I was specifically told that during Pope Benedict’s earlier visit there that his office told the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch that the Vatican would compromise and accept all the differences between itself and the Eastern Orthodox IF the Eastern Orthodox would accept the primacy of Rome on terms closer to what the Vatican wants (as opposed to how most of the Eastern Orthodox currently see it).

Additionally, perhaps it may be of interest to notice what some Catholic prophecies state along this line:

St. Francis of Assisi (died 1226): There will be an uncanonically elected pope who will cause a great Schism, there will be divers thoughts preached which will cause many, even those in the different orders to doubt, yea even agree with the heretics, which will cause my Order to divide. (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Reign of Antichrist, p. 130)

Priest O’Connor (20^th century?): This final false prophet will be a bishop of the church and will lead all religions into becoming one. (The False Prophet. Living in the Final Generation. http://www.geocities.com/rebornempowered/ApparitionsofMary.htm 10/12/07)

Priest Paul Kramer (21^st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world—not by the faithful, but by the world—by the secular world and the secular governments. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08)

Saint Brigata (14^th century): Concerning the Greeks, they know that all the Christians need to keep the only Catholic faith and to submit themselves to the Roman Church, they also know that the Sovereign Roman Pontiff, exercises the spiritual power over them…and they reject this spiritual subjection…So, they {sic} will be no mercy neither pardon in my court in their death. (Araujo, Fabio R. Selected Prophecies and Prophets. BookSurge LLC, Charlestown (SC), 2007, p. 68)

Although the Church of Rome has long discounted the legitimacy of the Orthodox sees, it should be understood that the Eastern Orthodox have long taught that the Church of Rome (known sometimes as Latins in Eastern writings) will change doctrines to those of the Orthodox. A Byzantine document known as the Anonymou Prophecy of 1053 refers to this as the:

Deferring of the Latins to the error-free faith of the Orthodox (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, p. 116).

Notice that according to another Byzantine prophet, the final (the Orthodox recognize seven previous ones) ecumenical council satisfies what “heretics” want:

Saint Nelios the Myrrh-Gusher (died 1592): During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics…(Tzima Otto, p. 111)

Any synod that satisfies contentions of heretics means that compromise is involved.

A Catholic prophecy shows that after its church is changed/compromised (referred to as reform below), the Orthodox will come back:

Roger Bacon (died 1294): There shall arise a…priest to reform the Church. The Greeks will return (to the Church)…there will be one fold, one shepherd. (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 149)

All (Catholic or otherwise) should be careful, compare their teachings with the Bible, pray to God, and not accept doctrines that are unbiblical for the sake of this coming ecumenical unity. Compromise must occur for ecumenical unity to occur. And most likely by more than one side.

Those who wish to learn why the ecumenical discussions are dangerous may wish to read the following articles:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.