There are very positive signs of cooperation between the different canonical Orthodox groups using the Western Rite in their liturgical life.
First, a meeting between Antiochian and ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) representatives took place in New York. On 14 February 2011, Father Edward Hughes, Vicar General of the Western Rite Vicariate of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and his duly appointed assistant, Father John W. Fenton, met at the Russian Synod chancery with His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR); His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw), Bishop of Manhattan and vicar of the Eastern-American diocese (ROCOR); and the V. Reverend Anthony Bondi, Pastoral Vicar for the Western Rite (ROCOR). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the present situation, and to compare visions in order to foster cooperation in furthering Western Rite Orthodoxy in America.
Second, the wish to hold a Pan-Western Rite Conference should soon become a reality, God willing. According to Father Aidan’s blog Oremus (4 April 2011), a Pan-Western Rite Conference will take place “from Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. to the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. The conference will take place at the Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, Wappinger Falls, New York. There will be a Pontifical Mass celebrated at this retreat by Bishop Jerome of the Russian Orthodox Church.” (Once more details about the conference will be sent to us, they will be published on this website.)
