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UOC-MP Orthodox Archbishop Warns of “Catholic Temptation”

01.09.2005, [00:32] // UOC-MP //

Kyiv – Archbishop Auhustyn (Markevych) of Lviv and Halych, head of the Synodal Theological Committee of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), commenting on the 21 August move of residence of the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) to Kyiv, noted that “the Ukrainian Orthodox Church perceives it as a continuation of proselytism of the Catholic Church in Ukraine... Orthodox clergymen will have to warn their faithful against possible temptation on the part of Catholics,” he added. pravolavye.org.ua posted the news on 26 August 2005.

“Such actions… bring discredit to the ability of the Catholic Church to conduct a constructive dialogue with the Orthodox Church on issues containing conflicts and all kinds of discrepancies, and the dogmatic one in particular,” emphasized Archbishop Auhustyn.

According to the archbishop, proselytism of Catholics among the Orthodox population of Ukraine caused a discontinuation of bilateral dialogue and any contacts of the Moscow Patriarchate with the Vatican. Later, it broke off the theological dialogue with the Catholic Church on the general Orthodox level.

Archbishop Auhustyn mentioned that the UGCC has not officially received the status of patriarchate yet, “therefore its decision is illegal even according to Catholic law. Nevertheless, it was not condemned by the officially higher power.”

“If the UGCC does not turn back from its intentions, the UOC[-MP] will consider the actions of the Catholic Church as an attempt to convert the Orthodox to its faith, which publicly testifies to the fact that Catholics do not recognize the grace-filled nature of the Orthodox Church and its saving mission in the world. In this case, Orthodox clergymen will have to warn their faithful against possible temptation on the part of Catholics, giving a proper assessment of Catholic dogmas and practice from the positions of Orthodox theology,” said Archbishop Auhustyn.

Source:

• http://pravoslavye.org.ua/index.php?r_type=news&action=fullinfo&id=8263