Uniatism and the uniate problem

Abstract

Uniatism reappeared strongly with the revival of the Eastern Churches united with Rome in Central and Eastern Europe, between 1989 and 1991, in the satellite countries that had belonged to the Soviet bloc during several decades of isolation. After the fall of communism, there was a revival of the Greek-Catholic churches that had survived underground. This was seen by Moscow as an obstacle to further ecumenical dialogue and the issue of Uniatism had to be addressed in Balamand (1993). For its part, Rome did not want to renounce a portion of its membership, nor was it going to sacrifice communities in Europe and the East that, despite the martyrdom they suffered, have behind them a long history of fidelity to Unity, and are carriers of oriental traditions that have left their mark on the societies where they live and develop. Balamand made progress, but Uniatism was not fully resolved, so Moscow urges Rome to reopen the issue and finally resolve it to continue the dialogue of truth and charity.