God should be served, not manipulated by humans, according to Patriarch Bartholomew
Patriarch Bartholomew Emphasizes Dialogue and Understanding in Diplomacy
Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of the majority of the world's Orthodox Christians, has emphasized the importance of diplomacy and mutual understanding in today's world.
During a meeting with President Donald Trump on Sept. 15 and a subsequent address at a State Department dinner on Sept. 16, hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Michael J. Rigas, the patriarch spoke about the need for diplomacy in a world where national identities can sometimes create barriers.
"National identities seeking to reify themselves around certain characteristics can cut themselves off from the nature of diplomacy," Patriarch Bartholomew said. He urged followers of the Lord Jesus Christ to pursue the Kingdom of God, not any kingdom of Man.
The patriarch also touched upon the historical entanglements between Church and State, noting that religion has been used in past times to consolidate peoples around specific governments. However, he questioned whether such rigid forms of conformity still serve the interests of the people today.
In a move that caused a significant rift within the Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate formally recognized the independence (autocephaly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 2019, before it was separated from the Russian Orthodox Church. This decision led to the Russian Orthodox Church severing communion with Constantinople in 2018.
Despite this divide, the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to seek to foster interreligious dialogue, mutual respect, and an understanding of coexistence. Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that the Orthodox Church does not embrace ethno-phyletism or religious nationalism.
Looking ahead, Patriarch Bartholomew's goal is to bring the human family together, despite ethnic, linguistic, racial, and religious differences. He intends to use the principles of his faith to embrace others, rather than reject them, and to value others, rather than debase them.
On Sept. 24, Patriarch Bartholomew will receive the Templeton Prize, an award given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension, inspired by the values, discoveries, and questions of science.
As the world's religious traditions work to create fields of mutual respect and understanding, Patriarch Bartholomew's message of diplomacy, empathy, and unity remains a beacon of hope. Diplomacy, he believes, requires a capacity for empathy and understanding another's condition, keeping one honest about one's intentions and motivations.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
