[immoceefe]

"It is time," says Fr. Tetsetis, a theologian for the ecumenical patriarchate, "that our Church finally realize that it is doing poorly as a whole. The Church needs an open and sincere dialogue. Because it is only then, with its rich tradition as a compass, that it will be able to emerge from its blind alley and together face its existential problems, which are becoming increasingly severe and complicated. It is only then that the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarch's initiative can be understood."

This strikes me as an odd statement at best. First of all, it's obscure. What does it mean to say we as a whole are doing poorly at best? Is he talking about numbers here? Declining membership? Money? Teachings? Lack of social influence? What is he talking about?

Yes, we have a rich tradition as a compass, but I would like to see something of openness to God's guidance, and obedience to His commandments, as the basis for any dialogue. The term "open and sincere dialogue" makes me a bit squeemish. And what is an "existential problem?" Does he mean to suggest that we don't know who we are or what we are? Or does he mean that declining numbers threatens our existence.

Overall, it seems to me that there is an obligatory slap at America, while in fact Orthodoxy in Europe ain't doing so good.