Orthodox Constructions of the West

Perceptions and Realities in Orthodox-Catholic Relations Today: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future

This chapter suggests a mutual "purification of memories" for healing the dolorous history of Catholic-Orthodox relations, its Catholic author first providing an examination of Catholic misdeeds vis-avis the Orthodox East, then suggesting that the Orthodox, too, learn the uses of history in a modern academic climate that seeks to be fair and objective insofar as that is possible, eschew scapegoating and the "our hands are always clean" victim-hood pretence, the use of the double-standard, and learn a little self-criticism and fairness. This will require that the Orthodox make their own frank examination of conscience too.