Omnibus compertum

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Omnibus compertum is an encyclical from Pope Leo XIII. , it dates from July 21, 1900. With the subtitle " On the unity of the Greek Melchites " he addressed the patriarchs, archbishops and bishops of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church .

prehistory

The Melkites (from the Syrian word malka , which means emperor) were the predominantly Greek-speaking Christians of the Patriarchates of Jerusalem , Alexandria and Antioch , who followed the decision of the Council of Chalcedon (451) and moved to the “ Monophysite ” majority churches in their areas Minority got. After the separation ( schism ) between Rome and Constantinople in 1054 they belonged to the Eastern Orthodox churches . After a schism in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch , the Melkite Greek Catholic Church arose in the 18th century, which retained the Byzantine rite , but was replaced by Pope Benedict XIII. recognized as the unified Church with Rome .

content

The peculiarities of the Eastern churches

Leo XIII. states that since taking office he has paid particular attention to the Christian peoples of the east. It was his goal to bring the peoples together closely. There were several actions to this end, but he always had a special affection for the Greek-Melchite patriarch of Antioch. As an example, Leo XIII. states that in 1882 a seminary was built for the Greek Melchites in the city of Jerusalem , that many young men could be trained at the College of St. Athanasius in Rome at the expense of the Pope, and finally in 1894 the constitution "Orientalium" reaffirms the same rite and jurisdiction of the Greco-Melchite patriarch. It was therefore praiseworthy how the Greco-Melchitic Christians worked diligently and diligently for a good cause. However, there is currently a discrepancy and disagreement and this is now the reason to turn to the Greek-Melchite clergy .

Recommendations for unity

In his encyclical the Pope recommends three measures which could lead to unity:

  • the rights, privileges, duties and prerogatives of the patriarch should be preserved,
  • the bishops of the Melchites should vow the patriarch the respect due to him, they should recognize him as a legitimate superior and
  • it should be a joint council be convened that the following points would have to discuss the rights of patriarchs, the actual management, the discipline of the clergy , the life of the monks , on religious institutions on the activities of the mission and the sacred liturgy should with be viewed with prudent concern.

Exhortation

In the final exhortation he exhorts everyone, with all his heart, humility and gentleness, to promote unity in the League of Peace. Disagreement destroys and should be avoided, every conceivable help is offered by the Holy See , so that the completion of the Greek Melchites can be contributed.

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