Ecumenism - Article 2 by Father Glenn Baaten

Throughout its history, the Christian faith has experienced significant internal divisions that have shaped the structure, theology, and global influence of the Church. Two pivotal events mark major splits within the Christian tradition: the Great Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. These events not only transformed religious practice but also influenced political, cultural, and social developments across centuries.

 

The Split between West and East

The Great Schism of 1054 was the formal separation between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. While tensions had existed for centuries, this schism was the culmination of long-standing theological, political, cultural, and liturgical differences.

 

Key Causes:

1.    Papal Authority: The Roman Church claimed that the Pope had supreme authority over the whole Church.  While the Eastern Church acknowledged the primacy of the Bishop of Rome – as St. Peter was chief among the disciples – the Eastern Church, viewed the Patriarch of Constantinople as one of several equal metropolitan bishops.  From the Eastern perspective, the Pope was “primus inter pares”, the first among equals.

2.    The Filioque Controversy: The Western Church added the phrase "and the Son" (Filioque) to the Nicene Creed without an ecumenical council, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. The East saw this as a theological error and an unauthorized alteration of sacred tradition.

3.    Cultural and Political Differences: As the Western Roman Empire declined and the Eastern Byzantine Empire endured, differing languages (Latin vs. Greek), customs, and political dynamics further deepened the divide.

 

The Schism:

In 1054, mutual excommunications were issued by Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael Cerularius, symbolizing the official split. Though attempts at reconciliation have occurred over the centuries, most notably the Council of Florence in 1431, the division remains, with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy continuing as separate traditions.

 

Happily,  rapprochement between Rome and a number of Eastern Churches has occurred over the last hundreds of years.  These are known as Byzantine or Eastern Rite Churches and are in full Communion with the Catholic Church.  These Churches include the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church, and the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches in India.

 

The Protestant Reformation: A Western Church Divided

Nearly 500 years later, the Protestant Reformation erupted within the Western Church, further fragmenting Christendom. Initiated in 1517 by Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and theologian, the Reformation challenged the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences and the authority of the Pope.

 

Key Figures and Ideas:

·      Martin Luther: Posted his 95 Theses, criticizing Church corruption and promoting doctrines like sola scriptura (Scripture alone) and justification by faith alone. These two “solas” are attributable directly to Luther.

·      John Calvin: Emphasized God's sovereignty and developed the doctrine of predestination, influencing the Reformed tradition.

·      Ulrich Zwingli, John Knox, and others spread reform throughout Europe. 

·      What became known as “radical reformers” such as the Anabaptists, disavowed infant baptism altogether, allowing only for “believer's baptism”.  These reformers were also strict literalists in their interpretion of Scripture.

·      Consider also the burgeoning of American Evangelical Churches, Non-Denominational Churches, and the Mega-Church movement.  This is quite evident here in Orange County with churches such as Calvary Chapel, Saddleback Church, Mariners Church, among many others.

 

Major Outcomes:

1.    Formation of Mainline Protestant Churches: Lutheran, Reformed (Calvinist), Anglican, and later denominations such as Baptists and Methodists emerged.

2.    Theological Shifts: Protestants rejected papal authority, reduced the number of sacraments, and emphasized direct access to the Bible.

3.    Political and Social Upheaval: The Reformation led to wars, such as the Thirty Years’ War, and reshaped the political map of Europe.

 

Catholic Response:

The Council of Trent was convened between the years 1545 through 1563.  Leaders of various Protestant churches throughout Europe were invited to attend, though none ever accepted the invitation. The Council clarified and reaffirmed Catholic doctrine, especially with an eye to Protestant heretical theological positions.  The Council also reformed clerical abuses, and strengthened the global mission of the Church through the missionizing efforts of religious orders like the Jesuits and Franciscans.

 

Legacy and Modern Reflections

The divisions of 1054 and the 16th century profoundly altered the Christian landscape. Today, Christianity exists in three major branches: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.  As Catholics, we really do affirm the marks of the Church as One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.  And we truly are one throughout the entire world! 

 

Speaking charitably, this is not the case with Orthodoxy with its many autocephalous Churches, some of whom are not in communion with each other.  And the Protestant churches have splintered into thousands of denominations and stand alone churches. 

 

Over the last century, ecumenical dialogues have sought to heal divisions and promote mutual Christian  understanding. In the next article, we'll look more into the Ecumenical movement and the continuing challenge of the Christian call to unity.