{"id":97269,"date":"2025-09-24T15:00:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T23:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=97269"},"modified":"2025-09-24T15:54:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T23:54:37","slug":"pope-leo-xiv-continues-to-push-to-ecumenical-and-interfaith-synergy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/religious-news\/pope-leo-xiv-continues-to-push-to-ecumenical-and-interfaith-synergy\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo XIV continues to push to ecumenical and interfaith ‘synergy’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Ecumenical News<\/em> posted the following:<\/p>\n

\n

Pope Leo tells Astana gathering of faiths that religions are wellspring of healing, not source of division<\/h2>\n

Pope Leo XIV <\/a>has sent a message to the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan, and he invited the faithful of all religions to help build a future of peace, fraternity, and solidarity.<\/p>\n

Leo said the religious leaders had come together at a time marked by violent conflict to “renew friendships and forge new ones, united in our common desire to bring healing to our fractured and wounded world.”<\/p>\n

Religious leaders from around the globe gathered in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, for the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions<\/a>, …<\/p>\n

“Such collaboration is not a call to erase differences, but rather an invitation to embrace diversity as a source of mutual enrichment,” said Leo.<\/p>\n

“The Catholic Church, for her part, acknowledges and esteems all that is ‘true and holy’ in other religions (Nostra Aetate<\/a><\/em>, October 28, 1965, 2).<\/p>\n

“Indeed, she seeks to foster authentic synergy by bringing the distinct gifts of each tradition to the table of encounter, where each faith contributes its unique wisdom and compassion in service of the common good.”<\/p>\n

More than 100 participants from 60 countries participated in the forum, including spiritual leaders of major world religions, representatives of international organizations, experts, political scientists, and public figures.<\/p>\n

The Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber and the Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef of Israel participated in the congress. …<\/p>\n

The Pope recalled that the Second Vatican Council upheld the Catholic Church’s acknowledgement and esteem for all that is “true and holy” in other religions, in its 1965 declaration Nostra Aetate.<\/p>\n

“[The Church] seeks to foster authentic synergy by bringing the distinct gifts of each tradition to the table of encounter, where each faith contributes its unique wisdom and compassion in service of the common good,” he said. …<\/p>\n

Pope Leo called for leaders of all religions to commit to building a “future of peace, fraternity, and solidarity” by bearing witness to the truth that faith “unites more than it divides.”<\/p>\n

“Synergy becomes a powerful sign of hope for all humanity, revealing that religion, at its core, is not a source of conflict but a wellspring of healing and reconciliation.”<\/p>\n

Pope Leo expressed his hope that the interreligious congress will inspire believers to work for harmony and create a “synergy for peace,” which is “unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.” 09\/21\/25\u00a0 https:\/\/www.ecumenicalnews.com\/article\/pope-leo-tells-gathering-of-faiths-that-religions-are-wellspring-of-healing-not-source-of-division\/61300.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Steps towards ecumenical and interfaith unity, which this time Pope Leo is calling synergy, are being taken.<\/p>\n

In my book titled The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?<\/a> <\/span>I have the following:<\/p>\n

Leo XIV will be ecumenical. …<\/p>\n

From May 20, 325 A.D.\/C.E. to August 325, the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea. One of his political objectives was to get ecumenical unity in certain matters. In 2025, there are meetings to mark the 1700th<\/sup> anniversary of this, which are expected to include ecumenical discussions.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis had expected to participate. So we would expect that his replacement, Pope Leo XIV, to get involved somehow in this. Actually, before the conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV was called, Patriarch Barthlomew of Constantinople extended an invitation for the next pope to attend the 1700th<\/sup> anniversary of Nicea. Like Emperor Constantine, Pope Leo XIV would like to ecumenical reconciliation for religious and political reasons.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within a week of becoming pontiff, Pope Leo met with eastern Roman Catholic churches (see Pope Leo XIV met with \u2018Churches of the East\u2019\u2013what did 1st century Christians believe?<\/a>). He urged them to hold fast to their traditions–yet sadly, they changed from the original faith (watch: Original Church of the East<\/a>). He also has taken steps with the Eastern Orthodox, Protestants, and others. Here is something related to the Eastern Orthodox:<\/p>\n

September 23, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A group of theologians working on dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches reported progress in understanding of one of the main thorny issues between the two bodies: papal infallibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The Coordinating Committee of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches met September 8\u201312 in Rethymno, reporting \u201cprogress\u201d on a draft text about papal infallibility<\/a> and setting up a new team to finalize revisions for review next year<\/strong> (2026).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Co-chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch and Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, the session<\/a> was hosted by Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, continuing a pattern of hospitality that has helped the committee\u2019s work since 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Members examined two draft texts \u2014 one on the filioque<\/em> and another on infallibility\u2014 deciding to tackle the latter first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

According to a communiqu\u00e9<\/a>, the redrafting group will submit changes to the full committee next year with a view to preparing a text for a future plenary session.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Beyond the meeting room, delegates prayed and met with local faithful, visiting the parish of Gerani and the monasteries of St. Irene and St. John the Forerunner \u2014 gestures of fraternity<\/strong> that often accompany steady, if quiet, theological work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Participants also marked major transitions in the Catholic Church<\/strong> since their last gathering: the death of Pope Francis on April 21 and the election of Pope Leo XIV<\/a> on May 8. The communiqu\u00e9 expressed prayerful gratitude for Francis and confidence in Leo XIV\u2019s support for dialogue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Looking ahead, the committee welcomed hopes for a meeting between Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew<\/strong> during the 1,700th anniversary year of the Council of Nicaea<\/a>. Such an encounter, they said, would witness to Christian unity in a fractured world. https:\/\/aleteia.org\/2025\/09\/23\/orthodox-catholic-talks-move-forward-on-popes-authority\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Vatican, though not officially part of the World Council of Churches, now has one of its priests as the new academic dean of the World Council of Churches\u2019 Ecumenical Institute at Bossey (see World Council of Churches continues to push its ecumenical agenda, while working with the Roman Catholic Church<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Notice also the following from Ecumenical News<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\n

World Council of Churches, Pentecostal World Fellowship come together at conference<\/h2>\n

Pentecostals and ecumenicals, often perceived as distant from each other, have met during the Pentecostal World Conference in Helsinki, Finland. …<\/p>\n

In a message to the 27th Pentecostal World Conference, WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay, a Reformed minister, reflected on the theme of the conference, “Go &Make,” describing it as both timely and deeply challenging. …<\/p>\n

The Joint Consultative Group affirmed several key theological insights, including that diversity should reflect the communion of the triune God; …<\/p>\n

Pillay said in his address, “Our world longs for spiritual and moral renewal.<\/p>\n

“Your gatherings here in Helsinki \u2013 focusing on theological education, missions, and unity \u2013 testify to the Pentecostal movement’s global vitality and commitment,” he said.<\/p>\n

“In particular, I celebrate the contributions of the Christian Unity Commission, through which Pentecostal churches are working collaboratively with other Christian traditions.”<\/p>\n

Pillay also mentioned the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea this year.<\/p>\n

“This historic milestone offers a moment for all Christians to reflect on the foundational confessions of our faith and to renew our commitment to visible unity,” he said.<\/p>\n

“As you reflect, pray, and share during these days, may you feel the embrace of the global Christian community walking alongside you.” https:\/\/www.ecumenicalnews.com\/article\/world-council-of-churches-pentecostal-world-fellowship-come-together-at-conference\/61268.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, the move towards unity among the trinitarians is not limited to the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics.<\/p>\n

Related to the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics, the June-July 2007 edition of The Journal: News of the Churches of God<\/em> contained an edited version of the following article:<\/p>\n

Orthodox Should Reject Unity With Roman Catholics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most people in the Churches of God (COGs) know relatively little about the Eastern Orthodox Church (Orthodox).\u00a0\u00a0Because the\u00a0similarities of some of\u00a0its practices with those of the Roman Catholic Church, recent pontiffs have attempted to take steps to attempt to restore unity between the two groups.\u00a0 Yet few realize that the Orthodox have many teachings that have similarities to\u00a0COG doctrines.<\/p>\n

The Great Schism<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1054, there was a separation of the Orthodox churches from the Roman Church.\u00a0 Although many historians feel that political considerations played the deciding role, two main doctrinal reasons are cited for this separation, which the Orthodox refer to as \u201cthe great schism\u201d.<\/p>\n

The first was the authority of Roman bishop.\u00a0 Essentially the Orthodox position was (and remains) that there were \u201cfive churches that comprised the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church before the Great Schism\u201d.\u00a0 These\u00a0five\u00a0were\u00a0the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem (the other Orthodox churches, like the Russian, Serbian, etc. all hold similar doctrinal positions, but simply are not considered to have the prestige of \u201coriginal Apostolic authority\u201d ), plus the Roman Catholic Church.<\/p>\n

After\u00a0Roman\u00a0Pontiff Leo IX exceeded what the Orthodox considered to be his jurisdiction (he excommunicated Cerularius, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, who in turn excommunicated Leo IX), the Orthodox felt that the Church of Rome separated from their communion and the two groups have been officially separated ever since.\u00a0 This is something that recent pontiffs have attempted to change.<\/p>\n

The second issue had to do with the \u201cfilioque clause\u201d of the so-called Apostle\u2019s Creed.\u00a0 The Orthodox position is that the Romans changed the Creed to include the statement that the Holy Spirit proceeds \u201cfrom the Father and the Son<\/em>\u201c, whereas it originally stated that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father previously according to the Orthodox.<\/p>\n

It may be interesting to note that Catholic scholars have claimed that the Orthodox have had no saints since the Great Schism.\u00a0 Notice:<\/p>\n

The Greek Church once brilliant with many saints produced no more saints after the schism\u2026learned Greeks fled to western Europe bringing with them the culture of the decadent schismatic church and caused a partial return to paganism in the Renaissance period\u2026The final result of the Greek Schism appears in Communism, which is a complete return to unbelief and barbarism (Kramer, Herman Bernard. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, D.D., Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1975, pp. 52-53).<\/p>\n

It should be noted that the Greek Orthodox Church does not agree with the above and tend to be aghast when they learn of it.\u00a0 Similarly, notice how the same Roman source indicates that the \u201cscourge\u201d of called Wormwood in Revelation 7:10-11 has to do with the Greek schism:<\/p>\n

Verses 19 and 11<\/em><\/p>\n

The scourge announced by the third trumpet\u2026the idea if \u201cWORMWOOD\u201d indicates that the Third Scourge to be the GREEK SCHISM\u2026It has carried away from Christendom approximately one third of the membership of the true Church.\u00a0 Schism is not heresy but\u2026As disobedience, it perverts the source of spiritual life into sources of spiritual death\u2026<\/p>\n

The description in the Apocalypse fits the Greek Schism in every detail (Kramer, Herman Bernard. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, D.D., Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1975, pp. 201,203,205).<\/p>\n

The Orthodox do not believe that the schism carried their people away from Christendom.\u00a0 But that is historically how many Catholic leaders have viewed the situation.<\/p>\n

But What About the <\/strong>Church<\/strong> of <\/strong>God<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Possibly because the Orthodox tend to rely more on Greek writings (the New Testament and\u00a0nearly all\u00a0of the early Christian writings were in Greek) and not Latin, plus the fact that its leading Patriarchate (Constantinople) is in Asia Minor, the Orthodox have many doctrines that the Roman Catholic Church does not teach, but that the COGs generally do teach.<\/p>\n

What are the differences between the Orthodox and the Catholics?\u00a0 What are the similarities between the … Church of God and the Orthodox?<\/p>\n

Here are twelve such doctrines:<\/p>\n

1. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, reject the Roman Catholic notion of purgatory.<\/p>\n

2. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, number the ten commandments as they originally were and not as the Roman Catholics number them.<\/p>\n

3. Many (though not all) of the Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, believe that God has a plan of salvation that can occur at the time of the final judgment.\u00a0 Yet, the Roman Church rejects the idea that salvation can be available after the first death.<\/p>\n

4. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, do not believe that God\u2019s plan will result in most being lost or that it is\u00a0a plan\u00a0of terrorism.\u00a0 This differs from the Roman Catholic view of eternal torment.<\/p>\n

5. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, believe in baptism by immersion.\u00a0 The Roman Catholics usually employ sprinkling.<\/p>\n

6. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, believe in \u201cthe responsible use of contraception within marriage\u201d.\u00a0 The Roman Catholic position is far more limiting.<\/p>\n

7. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, reject \u201cthe dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin\u201d.\u00a0 That is a Roman Catholic dogma.<\/p>\n

8. The Eastern Orthodox, like many in the Church of God, agree that \u201cthe final goal at which every Christian must attain: to become god\u201d.\u00a0 The Roman Catholic teaching in this area is less than clear.<\/p>\n

9. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, teach that presbyters (which they call \u201cpriests\u201d but the COG calls \u201celders\u201d) can be married.\u00a0 The Roman Church requires celibacy for all presbyters, even though that was not its original position.<\/p>\n

10. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, teach that \u201cChristians must always be \u2018People of the Book\u2019 \u201c.\u00a0 Yet, throughout history, the Church of Rome has tended to place more emphasis on non-biblical sources for much of its doctrines.<\/p>\n

11. The Eastern Orthodox, like the Church of God, do not observe Ash Wednesday.\u00a0 The Church of Rome added this observance in the Middle Ages from non-biblical sources.<\/p>\n

12. Neither the … Church of God nor the Orthodox believe that the jurisdiction of Rome has any real bearing on apostolic succession. Yet, the Roman Church has officially claimed that apostolic succession was lost by the Orthodox and others when they stopped accepting the jurisdiction of Rome:<\/p>\n

Regarding the Greek Church, it is sufficient to note that it lost Apostolic succession by withdrawing from the jurisdiction of the lawful successors of St. Peter in the See of Rome. The same is to be said of the Anglican claims to continuity (O\u2019Reilly, Thomas. \u201cApostolicity.\u201d The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907).<\/p>\n

While there are certain ceremonial similarities (as well as differences) between the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, if the Orthodox really wish to become \u201cthe people of the book\u201d\u00a0they need to reject all non-biblical doctrines and not enter into greater unity with Rome.\u00a0 There are too many differences in doctrine between the Catholics and the Orthodox for unity without major compromise.<\/p>\n

T<\/strong>he Romans Now Want the Orthodox<\/strong><\/p>\n

The … Roman Pontiff (Benedict XVI) has repeatedly stated that he wants unification with the Orthodox Churches (e.g. Pope tells Cypriot Orthodox leader he holds \u2018firm hope\u2019 for Christian unity. Associated Press \u2013 June 16, 2007) and certain Orthodox leaders seem to favor it (e.g. Alexy II Favors Ecumenical Ties: Says Orthodox-Catholic Partnership Is Important. Zenit \u2013 June 15, 2007).\u00a0 The previous pontiff (John-Paul II) referred to the Romans and the Orthodox as the \u201ctwo lungs\u201d of the church.<\/p>\n

However, the Orthodox may wish to be aware of a Catholic prophecy concerning this. Around 1202 the Roman Catholic Abbott Joachim prophesied:<\/p>\n

A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the <\/strong>Western<\/strong> Church<\/strong>\u2026This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of <\/strong>Babylon<\/strong> shall then be the head and guide of the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rome<\/strong>, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace<\/strong>\u2026(Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Manterey-Fresno. Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 31-32).<\/p>\n

Biblical prophecy states that there will be a major unifying religion that it calls \u201cBabylon the Great\u201d (Revelation 17:5)\u2013but one that the Bible warns against.Catholic-Orthodox unity will not be good for either group.<\/p>\n

The Orthodox (and all others) need to heed the Bible and:<\/p>\n

\u201cCome out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.\u00a0 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities\u201d (Revelation 18:4-5).<\/p>\n

The Orthodox, individually, need to reject unity with Rome.\u00a0 Orthodox-Catholic unity will not be a good thing.<\/p>\n

The plain truth is that if those in the Orthodox churches will study their Bibles, they will find a lot more doctrines that the Bible and the COGs hold in common than they will in the Bible and the Roman Church.\u00a0 On the unification issue, nearly all of the American and South African Orthodox members I have had contact with oppose unity with Rome.\u00a0 Yet, much of the Orthodox clergy in other areas seem to support it.<\/p>\n

The fact that the COGs and the Orthodox trace their histories through cities other than Rome is also something that the two groups have in common.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, if they look into their roots, the Orthodox will also find that the VAST MAJORITY of professing Christians in Asia Minor (an area where the Orthodox also trace their history) did not even accept the Trinitarian doctrine until the latter half of the fourth century, because they held a Semi-Arian view of the Godhead (the view that the Father and Son are both God, but that the Holy Spirit is not) similar to that held by most COGs.<\/p>\n

Why It Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Truth is important. And sadly, many will be misled in the future with what the Bible calls signs and lying wonders.<\/p>\n

Notice what one Orthodox writer has wisely warned against:<\/p>\n

Peter Jackson<\/em> (20th<\/sup> century): To which Mary are Muslims and Protestants being drawn?\u2026 Rome began to see her more and more as a \u201cgoddess,\u201d a fourth Hypostasis of the Trinity\u2026Today, as heterodox Christians become more and more ecumenist and work toward creating a \u201cOne World Church,\u201d the search has begun for a Mary of universal recognition, one who will appeal not only to those who bear the name Christian, but apparently to Muslims and others as well, just as attempts are likewise being made to identify the \u201cnew Christ\u201d with the Muslim concept of their coming Mahdi and with the Messiah still awaited by the Jews. This, of course, will be no Christ at all but the antichrist (Jackson P. ORTHODOX LIFE., No. I, 1997., Brotherhood of Saint Job of Pochaev at Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N.Y. pp. 18-22.\u00a0 http:\/\/fr-d-serfes.org\/orthodox\/theotokos.htm viewed 05\/04\/09).<\/p>\n

The time of Antichrist<\/a> is near (please see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?<\/a>).\u00a0 Neither the Orthodox nor the Catholics of Rome should follow apparitions that claim to be Mary (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions<\/a>) for false unity.<\/p>\n

While most of us in the COGs recognize that there will be massive religious unity with some form of Catholicism at the time of the end, we need to be getting the warning message out to as many who will listen.\u00a0 And that certainly should include trying to reach as many of the 250,000,000 people who claim ties to the Orthodox churches.By recognizing that there actually are some doctrinal and historical similarities between the groups, I believe that those of us in the COGs will be better able to explain our positions in a manner that people like the Orthodox will better be able to relate to. Since the recent overtures by the Roman Pontiffs will give some within the Orthodox churches reason to consider their affiliation, I believe this is an excellent time to try to reach them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The fact is that the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch is interested in ecumenical matters with Pope Leo XIV, and vice versa. Ecumenical steps are happening.<\/p>\n

Notice some other statements in my book The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?<\/a><\/span>:<\/p>\n

\n

Abbott Joachim<\/em> (died 1202): A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels … he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church … Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world …<\/p>\n

Even though the Bible warns against end time Babylon (cf. Revelation 18:4; Jeremiah 50,51), Abbot Joachim is trying to teach that it is good. …<\/p>\n

Here are some Roman Catholic warnings about the type of unification that some look forward to:<\/p>\n

Michal Semin: <\/em>Our Lady spoke of the annihilation of nations\u2026The European Union is intent on destroying nation states, suppressing national identities and borders, so that we can happily live in an always progressing supra-national community of EU faithful.<\/a><\/p>\n

Priest O\u2019Connor<\/em>\u00a0(20th<\/sup> century?): This final false prophet<\/strong>\u00a0will be a bishop of the church and will lead all religions into becoming one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Priest H. Kramer<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>(20th<\/sup> century): In the vision of the Seer now appears a second beast rising out of the earth, having two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon…In other places he is called the false prophet … This prophet may re-establish the pagan Roman Empire\u00a0and build the \u201cGreat Harlot\u201d, Babylon \u2026 The False Prophet … will persuade all infidels, apostates and apostate nations to worship and adore him … Antichrist\u00a0\u201csitteth in the temple of God\u201d (2 Thes. II. 4). This is not the ancient Temple in Jerusalem … this temple is shown to be a Catholic Church \u2026 The False Prophet will proclaim the resurrection of the Roman Empire.<\/p>\n

Thus, while some Roman Catholic prophecies praise a new religious order, many others indicate that a new type of \u2018Catholicism\u2019\u00a0will be false to that religion and not be good for Europe. \u00a0This also seems to be consistent with an Eastern Orthodox\u00a0understanding of the last false religious power coming from Rome:<\/p>\n

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos<\/em>\u00a0(20th<\/sup> century): The army of Antichrist\u00a0is made up of the worldly powers, mainly the Roman Empire, symbolized by the two beasts and the harlot woman (Rev. 11:7; 13:1-17; cf. Dan. 7:11-12) \u2026 The final confrontation with evil is presented in chapters 19 and 20\u2026The war is waged by the beast and the false prophet. Both of these are organs of Satan<\/strong>, representing the political and religious authority of Rome<\/strong>\u00a0(Rev. 13:1-18).<\/p>\n

Whatever new order that the Great Monarch\u00a0(who is to be crowned the leader of the Roman Empire\u00a0according to other writings) implements with Rome\u00a0will not be faithful to the teachings of Christ\u00a0or His original faithful followers.<\/p>\n

Therefore a \u201cfalse pope\u201d is expected, and a great loss of Catholic members to his religion is prophesied.\u00a0 Might this be in the works now? Could Pope Leo XIV work for this?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While Pope Francis took ecumenical steps, could Pope Leo XIV be the one that will seal unity with the Eastern Orthodox Catholics?<\/p>\n

He may well be.<\/p>\n

What I wish he would do, is to heed the following scripture–which is shown below from two Roman Catholic translations of the Bible:<\/p>\n

3 Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3, DRB)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

3 My dear friends, at a time when I was eagerly looking forward to writing to you about the salvation that we all share, I felt that I must write to you encouraging you to fight hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3, NJB)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If Pope Leo XIV would really do that, it would be an exciting and great course of action.<\/p>\n

He hinted that the churches of the east, that are in communion with Rome, should do that–and they should.<\/p>\n

But the Church of Rome, as well as all other churches, should do so as well.<\/p>\n

That said, in May of 2009, my wife Joyce and I visited the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople \u2013the leading \u201csee\u201d within the world of the Eastern Orthodox.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n The Above Building is Where the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Meets with Dignitaries
\n(Photos by Joyce Thiel–Bob Thiel shown in the first photo)<\/em><\/p>\n

Here is some of what I posted about that back on May 16, 2009 (https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/prophecy\/orthodox-must-reject-unity-with-the-roman-catholics\/<\/a>):<\/p>\n

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went to Istanbul and visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople\u2013the leading \u201csee\u201d within the world of the Eastern Orthodox. Unlike Vatican City, this place is not particularly impressive. After seeing the Church of St. George there, we privately met with a staff member who gave us a tour of the area where the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople (currently Bartholomew I) meets with dignitaries.<\/p>\n

The staff member (who was a Greek-American who used to live in San Diego) told us that when Pope Benedict visited in November 2006, one of the Pope\u2019s aides told one of the Patriarch\u2019s aides that if the Orthodox would accept Roman supremacy, that the Catholics would accept pretty much all of the Orthodox doctrinal differences (such as the so-called filioque clause of the so-called Apostles Creed).<\/p>\n

While the Orthodox officially accept the primacy<\/em> of the Bishop of Rome, according to the staff member we met with, they are still adamant that they will not accept Roman supremacy and the related governmental ramifications. But the Bible and I disagree with the Orthodox on this point as we in the Living Church of God believe that unity with Rome is inevitable.<\/p>\n

Perhaps I should add here that there is a fringe Catholic private prophecy warning against the Catholics making this deal with the Orthodox. Notice the following:<\/p>\n

Priest Paul Kramer<\/em> \u201cThe errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church<\/strong>, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world \u2014 not by the faithful, but by the world \u2014 by the secular world and the secular governments. The Anti-Pope will be recognized as the legitimate Pope of the \u201cchurch,\u201d and the legitimate head of the Vatican State. That \u201cchurch\u201d will be united with all the false religions. They will be united together under the universality of the Masonic umbrella. In that motley ecumenical union will be the established religion of the so-called civilized world. This is how we will get into the time of great persecution such as the world has never seen (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady\u2019s 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\/06\/08).<\/p>\n

Not only am I convinced that the deal will occur, there are other Catholic prophecies in favor of this deal. Notice the following:<\/p>\n

Abbott Joachim<\/em> (died 1202)\u2026A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church\u2026This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world. Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace\u2026At the beginning, in order to bring these happy results, having need of a powerful assistance, this holy Pontiff will ask the cooperation of the generous monarch of France (Great Monarch)\u2026 A man of remarkable sanctity will be his successor in the Pontifical chair. Through him God will work so many prodigies that all men shall revere him (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 31-33).<\/p>\n

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser<\/em> (Born in the 17th century, in Germany) \u2026God will bind Satan for a number of years until the days of the Son of Perdition\u2026there will be an ecumenical council which will be the greatest of all councils. By the grace of God, by the power of the Great Monarch, and by the authority of the Holy Pontiff, and by the union of the most devout princes, atheism and every heresy will be banished from the earth. The Council will define the true sense of Holy Scripture, and this will be believed and accepted by everyone (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 40).<\/p>\n

I suspect that the Catholics will make some type of deal with the Orthodox resulting in an acceptance of certain Orthodox doctrines, while allowing the Orthodox to come in with a little more autonomy than other Catholics. However, when the false prophet (apparently the final pontiff) begins to do miracles, then the Orthodox will end up accepting full Vatican authority.<\/p>\n

The Orthodox staff member and I also discussed the Ukraine. He told me that while the Patriarchate of Constantinople deferred to Russian administration of the Ukraine during the time of the Soviet Union, that Constantinople used to administer it and is having talks with the Ukraine to try to get this to occur. If this does occur, it may be one of the reasons that the Russian Orthodox may not enter into the type of unity with Rome that the bulk of the Orthodox will. (The Russian Orthodox walked out of one \u201cunity\u201d meeting last November, see Eastern Orthodox: Pope #1; But Russian Orthodox Unclear<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the way I have tended to see Greco-Roman unity with Rome and the Orthodox, other than the Russians, seems to be happening. And as this process continues, we are getting closer to the time of the end.<\/p>\n

Those wishing to see some of the rest of Constantinople (including the Church of St, George and the Hagia Sophia) should click on Joyce\u2019s Photos of Constantinople<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Since then, the calls for unity between the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics, as well as the Protestants, have intensified.<\/p>\n

Doctrinal compromise is expected.<\/p>\n

That will NOT bring true unity of faith.<\/p>\n

Some items of related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

Early Christianity in Edessa and the Church of the East<\/a> Could there have been Christian leaders there? Might Judas of Jerusalem went there? Could Macarius have been a faithful Christian?<\/span>Here is a link to a related sermon video: Original Church of the East<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?<\/a> Did the original \u201ccatholic church\u201d have doctrines held by the Continuing<\/em> Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term \u201ccatholic church\u201d to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?<\/a>, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover<\/a>, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?<\/a>, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy<\/a>, Early Heresies and Heretics<\/a>, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats<\/a>, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more<\/a>, Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>, The Godhead<\/a>, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a>, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List<\/a>, Holy Mother Church and Heresies<\/a>, and\u00a0Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs<\/a>. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language:\u00a0Creencias de la iglesia Cat\u00f3lica original<\/a>.
\n
\nThe Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?<\/a> This 154 page book has biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies related to the last pope, an antipope who will be the final Antichrist. It is also available on Kindle: The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?-Kindle<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COGwriter Ecumenical News posted the following: Pope Leo tells Astana gathering of faiths that religions are wellspring of healing, not source of division Pope Leo XIV has sent a message to the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan, and he invited the faithful of all religions to help […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t