Zoghby Initiative - July 1995 Meeting

July 1995 Meeting

At the July 1995 meeting of the Melkite Synod, twenty-four of the twenty-six attending bishops present subscribed to the so-called "Zoghby Initiative". The document was then presented to the Melkite Patriarch, Maximos V, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatious IV. The profession was accompanied by an endorsement by the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Biblos and Batroun, George Khodr, stating "I consider this profession by Kyr Elias Zoghby to fulfill the necessary and sufficient conditions to re-establish the unity of the Orthodox Churches with Rome." The proposal received much press, both positive and negative. Numerous ecumenists lauded the initiative, while some theologians and canonists were critical. Despite the mixed reception, the initiative helped create a new climate of dialogue on East–West reunification and communion.

Read more about this topic:  Zoghby Initiative

Famous quotes containing the words july and/or meeting:

    Children are as destined biologically to break away as we are, emotionally, to hold on and protect. But thinking independently comes of acting independently. It begins with a two-year-old doggedly pulling on flannel pajamas during a July heat wave and with parents accepting that the impulse is a good one. When we let go of these small tasks without anger or sorrow but with pleasure and pride we give each act of independence our blessing.
    Cathy Rindner Tempelsman (20th century)

    Is whispering nothing?
    Is leaning cheek to cheek? Is meeting noses?
    Kissing with inside lip? Stopping the career
    Of laughter with a sigh?—a note infallible
    Of breaking honesty.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)