'The echo of the Gospel-the words that do not disappoint-continues to resound with force, weakened only by our separation: Christ cries out, but man finds it hard to hear his voice, because we fail to speak with one accord. We listen together to the cry of those who want to hear God's entire Word. The words of the West need the words of the East, so that God's Word may ever more clearly reveal its unfathomable riches. Our words will meet for ever in the heavenly Jerusalem, but we ask and wish that this meeting be anticipated in the Holy Church which is still on her way towards the fullness of the Kingdom.' (Lumen Orientalem p53)
Doctrinally the Orthodox Churches are so close to the Catholic Church. Deacon Lawrence illustrated this with his experience in Darlington with his parish and a nearby Antiochian Orthodox parish. When there are major celebrations in the Melkite Catholic Church the number of people attending the Antiochian Church decreases and when there are fewer people at the Melkite Church you can be sure that there are many more at the Orthodox Church. We must pray that the old division is soon healed.
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