By Carol Fouke
Problems in WCC-Orthodox relations weren’t ignored at a padare on "Orthodox
Churches in the Ecumenical Movement" held yesterday. But conversations during and
following the meeting also revealed good news: Orthodox and Protestant Christians at the
assembly have entered into a real dialogue.
"I have met with a lot of people who genuinely want to dialogue," said Teva
Regnee of the Women’s Orthodox Ministries and Education Network. The assembly
"has been a space for that. I even went to the women’s ordination forum. They
weren’t aware that we have a lot of other orders (besides the priesthood)."
In dialogue, "you have to express who you are," added Despina Prassis (USA),
from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. "That’s been one of the
strengths of the ecumenical movement – giving all churches the opportunity to get to
know ourselves better and express who we are.
"Encounters with people (at the assembly) are so encouraging and a sign of hope for
the future of ecumenical dialogue," Prassis said. "We are here because we want
to be here. I am here because I want to be here."
Both women praised the WCC’s Ecumenical Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with
Women.
"The Decade was really great for us," Prassis said. "The WCC is publishing
statements and papers from the Decade’s two Orthodox women’s consultations
("Orthodox Women Speak"). If Protestant churches pick these up, they will learn
so much."
"There have been questions that aren’t ours," Regnee said, but Orthodox
women were "on the radar screen. It’s to our detriment not to be involved."
In an earlier conversation, Anne Glynn-Mackoul (USA), Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of
Antioch and All the East, affirmed her overwhelming enthusiasm and support for the
Ecumenical Decade and Festival. It was marred only by her surprise at finding a phrase
about "reproductive rights" in the final draft of the letter to the assembly.
She spoke to her concern from the floor during the Decade plenary.
"It killed me to make that statement," she said afterwards. "On all other
points, we were unanimous.
"The Decade was important for all women and respected the position of Orthodox women.
The Decade Festival itself, despite a strong presence of persons wanting to broaden the
agenda, was wonderful and very universal in most of its issues."
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