Cardinal O’Malley at Catholic-Orthodox conference: ‘Come together and pray for unity’
Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, retired archbishop of Boston, encouraged Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians to pray together for reunification at a joint conference focused on healing the nearly 1,000-year schism between the churches.
3 months ago
Cardinal Timothy Michael O’Malley, representing the Vatican at a recent Catholic‑Orthodox dialogue conference, called on participants from both traditions to unite in prayer and work toward greater ecclesial communion. 1
Cardinal O’Malley emphasized that shared prayer can bridge historical divisions and foster mutual understanding between Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He urged leaders and faithful alike to “come together and pray for unity,” framing prayer as the first step toward reconciliation. 1
The gathering brought together bishops, theologians, and lay representatives from the Catholic Church and various Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions. The agenda focused on theological dialogue, joint liturgical celebrations, and collaborative social projects. 1
By highlighting prayer as a common ground, the cardinal’s remarks aim to soften long‑standing doctrinal tensions and encourage concrete steps toward full communion. Observers view the statement as a sign of the Vatican’s continued commitment to ecumenism under Pope Leo XIV’s papacy. 1
Examine the theological basis for Catholic–Orthodox ecumenical prayer
Catholic theology grounds Catholic–Orthodox “ecumenical prayer” in the fact that Christ wills unity, that unity is advanced chiefly through conversion of heart and holiness of life, and that Catholics already share with Orthodox Christians a real communion (especially through baptism) that makes common prayer both meaningful and spiritually fruitful—while also requiring discernment and limits where “common worship” (communicatio in sacris) could imply ecclesial communion not yet present.
The Catholic Church teaches that ecumenism is not first a strategy, but a work carried out “under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit,” aimed at the fullness of unity desired by Jesus.
That is why the Council identifies “spiritual ecumenism”—public and private prayer for the unity of Christians—as “the soul of the whole ecumenical movement.” The rationale is explicit: Christ himself, “on the eve of His death,” prayed “That they may all be one” (Jn 17:21), so Christians respond to Christ’s prayer by undertaking prayer for unity.
This also explains why Catholic–Orthodox ecumenical prayer is not merely a diplomatic gesture; it participates in Christ’s own orientation toward unity and therefore becomes a means by which God’s grace is sought and received.
A second theological basis is that the ecumenical movement is rooted in what is already shared. The Church acknowledges that Catholics have “a genuine expression of the ties which still bind” them to other Christians when they pray in common.
The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism teaches:
“Shared prayer is in itself a way to spiritual reconciliation.”
And it adds that Catholics should be encouraged—where appropriate and according to Church norms—to join in prayer with Christians of other Churches, because such prayer is “certainly a very effective means of petitioning for the grace of unity.”
The vademecum likewise frames the theological legitimacy of ecumenical prayer in terms of real communion:
“Because we share a real communion as brothers and sisters in Christ, Catholics not only can, but indeed must, seek out opportunities to pray with other Christians.”
It gives concrete examples that make clear the basis (shared identity in Christ, and commonly shared prayer traditions):
The Council is careful to distinguish prayer for unity in common from communion in sacramental worship.
Unitatis Redintegratio teaches that it is “allowable, indeed desirable,” in certain special circumstances (including prescribed prayers “for unity” and ecumenical gatherings), that Catholics “should join in prayer with their separated brethren.”
It further explains why: such prayers are “certainly an effective means of obtaining the grace of unity” and are “a true expression of the ties which still bind Catholics to their separated brethren.”
This directly supports Catholic–Orthodox ecumenical prayer as a theologically coherent act: it expresses existing bonds without prematurely claiming full ecclesial communion.
At the same time, the Council states that “worship in common (communicatio in sacris) is not to be considered as a means to be used indiscriminately for the restoration of Christian unity.”
The theology behind the caution is twofold:
Because these are not merely personal decisions, “the course to be adopted…is to be decided by local episcopal authority,” or according to bishops’ conference statutes or the Holy See’s provisions.
In other words, the theological basis is not “prayer alone,” but prayer within truth—truth about what unity exists now and what sacramental communion would signify.
The Council frames ecumenism as requiring Catholics to act “with full and sincere Catholic” fidelity—faithful to apostolic truth—while seeking the fullness of unity over time.
Therefore, Catholic ecumenical prayer must not be careless, superficial, or faith-relativizing. The Council warns against “superficiality and imprudent zeal” that could hinder real progress.
This same logic appears earlier: ecumenical action involves avoiding “expressions, judgments and actions which do not represent the condition of our separated brethren with truth and fairness,” and it includes prayer “wherever this is allowed,” along with dialogue and renewal within the Catholic Church.
For Catholic–Orthodox prayer specifically, Catholic teaching highlights a common patrimony in the apostolic faith and in shared creedal confession. Pope Leo XIV, for example, stresses that the Creed of Nicaea (with Constantinople’s additions) remains “the common patrimony of all Christians.”
That common confession supports ecumenical prayer not as invention, but as communion-in-faith seeking further communion.
The 1965 joint Catholic–Orthodox declaration also frames ecumenical progress—fruitful prayer included—as a path involving “cleansing of hearts,” repentance for historical wrongs, and a determination “to arrive at a common understanding and expression of the faith of the Apostles,” aiming at “full communion of faith, fraternal accord and sacramental life.”
In that perspective, ecumenical prayer is not a substitute for doctrinal and ecclesial reconciliation, but it is a real participation in the Spirit’s work that prepares hearts for the unity the Church seeks.
The theological basis for Catholic–Orthodox ecumenical prayer is threefold: