Moments of West and East, Rome and Byzantium Separation before the Mid-15th Century

The ecclesial communion
between “Rome� and “Byzantium� has not been restored yet. As an expression
of current ecumenical relations, Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) and Patriarch
Athenagoras I (1948-1972) of Constantinople and his synod, lifted the mutual
excommunications that led to the 1054 schism, declaring that: “a) They regret
the offensive words, the reproaches without foundation, and the reprehensible
gestures which, on both sides, have marked or accompanied the sad events of
this period; b) They likewise regret and remove both from memory and from
the midst of the Church the sentences of excommunication which followed
these events, the memory of which has influenced actions up to our day and
has hindered closer relations in charity; and they commit these
excommunications to oblivion; c) Finally, they deplore the preceding and later
vexing events which, under the influence of various factors--among which, lack
of understanding and mutual trust – eventually led to the effective rupture of
ecclesiastical communion�.