The Eastern Orthodox Church is opposed to the Roman Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy, the expansion of which reached its climax in 1870 at the First Vatican Council that proclaimed the doctrine of papal infallibility and anathematized (cast out of the Church) all who refused to recognize papal supremacy stating:
"We teach and define that it is a dogma Divinely revealed that the Roman pontiff when he speaks
ex cathedra, that is when in discharge of the office of pastor and doctor of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, by the Divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer willed that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals, and that therefore such definitions of the Roman pontiff are of themselves and not from the consent of the Church irreformable.So then, should anyone, which God forbid, have the temerity to reject this definition of ours: let him be anathema." (see Denziger §1839). — Vatican Council, Sess. IV , Const. de Ecclesiâ Christi, Chapter iv
^ While not denying that some form of primacy could exist for Rome's bishop, Eastern Orthodox Catholics argue that the tradition of Rome's primacy in the early Church was not equivalent to the current doctrine of supremacy.
And, of course, both the Old Catholic Church and about 800 million or so "Protestants" assert that they didn't leave the Catholic Church (in the "universal" sense if the original context) but rather that Eastern Catholic Churches and the Roman Catholic Church left them when they materially deviated from the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles and fabricated cacodoxical replacement theologies which they presently follow and continue adding to as time progresses.
This last point figures prominently in evangelical prophecy which points to the formation of a "world" church consisting of a political union between the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Catholics, and liberal ecumenical Protestants which will be spiritual in name only, freely using the name of Jesus Christ, but really will be antichrist and political in many of its activities.
This powerful church union will wrap itself in social action, charity programs, and ministries of compassion. Its leaders will make sweeping statements about meeting human need by sending out a call for renewed social action, political intervention, and a greater voice in world affairs.
But underneath the "good works," in the guise of "understanding," will be the full acceptance and vindication of homosexuality that will not only be accepted but encouraged amongst its members. Homosexual and lesbian ministers will be ordained and given places of authority in this church union and will be heralded as a new breed of pioneer introducing new concepts of love and evangelism.
Certain of these homosexual member churches will branch out into "brave" "new" "expressions of love" engaging artistic nude dancing. Men will become worshippers of the creature more than of the Creator and the one true holy God will be forced to give these kinds of "worshippers" over to their sins resulting in a reprobate mind respite with severe mental problems that do not respond to any kind of treatment.
Of course, this world church will never officially accept occult practices outright; but phrenology, palmistry, fortune-telling, and horoscopes will be tolerated (and widely respected). So it will be ironic when this new union singles out charismatic Catholics for special discipline with high-level pressure on local priests to "put the fire out."
Of course, as the prophet Isaiah stated, God raises a standard in such times and while this is occurring a great supernatural union of all the true followers of Jesus Christ, bound together through the Holy Spirit and mutual confidence in Jesus Christ and a materially accurate exegesis of His Word will arise and become a kind of underground fellowship that will include Catholics and Protestants of all denominations binding together young and old, black and white, and people of all nations.
While the visible super world church gains political power, this invisible supernatural church will grow tremendously in spiritual power. As the super world church's persecution of them begins, these ones will be driven closer together and simultaneously closer to Jesus Christ. There will be less concern for denominational concepts and more emphasis on the return of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will bring together, as one, people from all faiths and walks of life.
Although this supernatural church already exists around the world, it will become politically more invisible. But as persecution becomes intense, this body of believers will become almost radical in its evangelistic efforts. This invisible church will receive supernatural unction and Holy Ghost power to continue preaching the gospel until the ends of the earth have heard.
Of course for this evangelical eschatology to occur, Rome must position the Pope as more of a political than a spiritual leader of this great union. Protestant leaders of the ecumenical movement will insist upon and receive certain concessions from Rome in exchange. They will not be asked to consider the Holy Father as the infallible head of the church and, in return, will accept his political leadership without accepting his role as Peter's successor.
In this new super world church union, an army of ungodly antichrist career driven people will hold the most influential posts driving this super church union to political power strong enough to put pressure on all those who oppose its actions. While those in the highest posts of leadership will be speaking about miracles, love, and reconciliation, hirelings who work under them will be harassing and persecuting those religious organizations opposed to their leadership.
A schism is coming ThomistColin, but it won't be between Catholics and Protestants...
Old Catholic Church broke away during the First Vatican Council. My point was there are Eastern Rite/Orthodox Catholics who do recognize Papal Authority. They are not the Orthodox that existed during the Schism.