Transcript:
Certainly not. This is not a true ecumenical relationship when we are applying conditions and pressure on the other party. That is not authentic ecumenism; it is a political game, and such an approach should have no place in the Church.
We should say to our brothers: “We love you, our dear Orthodox brothers. We respect you, but we also ask you to respect us in the same way.” We do not intervene in your canonizations; you are free. So please, respect our freedom as well.
Since the Pope has already approved the decree of heroic virtues, this is sufficient. He lived heroically in every sense and is therefore an example for the faithful. Canonization should not be subject to conditions. Otherwise, we will always be giving in to the conditions of every other community.
The Church has enough knowledge and wisdom to examine a candidate for canonization. That should be sufficient. Therefore, I believe it is a mistaken method to let the canonization process be conditioned by communities outside the Church.