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04/15/2004: "Orthodox bishop gets WCC-ified"

The current moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, neatly demonstrates how being in such close contact with the WCC can infect even Orthodox prelates with an inability to think theologically about political issues. Interviewed by the WCC Public Information Team, he was asked about 20th century genocides:

How do you personally, as a Christian, make sense of those genocides?

Genocide is one of the most horrible expressions of violence and terrorism. It is a crime against humanity. The international community, and in fact all the religions of the world, cannot accept such crimes. Hence, those who have perpetrated and may perpetrate such crimes must be called to justice. The ecumenical movement, through the "Decade to Overcome Violence", must wrestle with this question.

The word you seem incapable of speaking here, Holiness, is sin. Genocide is the most extreme expression of the sinfulness of humanity, and normally an Orthodox bishop would have no trouble saying that, as a Christian, he sees genocide as sin writ enormous. Instead, he retreats into WCC-speak. Sad.

Replies: 4 Comments

on Thursday, April 15th, Jonathan Duttweiler said

Just a note, Catholicos of Cilicia is *not* "Orthodox" in the sense of Russian, Greek or other Eastern Orthodox Churches. Rather, he is Armenian, one of the "Oriental" or non-Chalcedonian Orthodox groups. These groups are distinguished in having rejected the Council of Chalcedon and the Ecumenical Councils thereafter.

on Thursday, April 15th, Athanasius said

Thanks for the clarification. But hasn't there been a reconciliation between the Orthodox and the non-Chalcedonians?

on Friday, April 16th, Tim said

"Genocide is one of the most horrible expressions of violence and terrorism. It is a crime against humanity."

No, for the Christian, the individual does not belong to humanity. She belongs to God, and then to the self.

Thus genocide is, first and foremost, a crime against the creator.

on Tuesday, April 20th, Jonathan David said

I know this is late, but no, Tim, there has *not* been a "reconciliation" between Orthodoxy and non-Chalcedonians. While there have been talks, nothing has come of them and nothing will until the Orientals agree to all of the ecumenical councils from Chalcedon on.