The significant conflict between the Orthodox Churches about Ukraine has immobilize the official Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox, according to a Vatican official involved in the talks.
“Ecumenical Dialogue is a journey. At this point of the journey, we encounter a new problem,” said Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The Bishop also explained that representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox body, withdrew from joint projects with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including the Theological Dialogue with the Catholic Church.
“We are currently in a pause, waiting to see how this issue can be resolved,” Bishop Farrell said.
In spite of the conflict, though, Bishop Farrell said he feels optimistic that the dialogue will continue in the future, stressing that “in a few years we may be able to move forward.”