Pope Benedict XVI, when he was at the Italian Eucharistic Congress in Bari, Italy, again called for more dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches. This book by Clark Carlton will show what keeps the Churches separate. Carlton has a Masters of Divinity from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he studied under Fr. John Meyendorff, a noted Orthodox author, and he has an MA in early Christian studies from the Catholic University of America. He is a convert from the Southern Baptist Church to Orthodoxy. He is presently an adjunct in philosophy at the Tennessee Technology University while working on his Ph.D.

The reader will pick up quickly what the author and others see as keeping the two Churches separate. Not all Orthodox are opposed to unity, though. Carlton discusses the reasons for which some Orthodox see as roadblocks to unity, unless something drastic changes on the part of the Roman Catholics. He goes into length about these topics - the Filioque controversy, the papacy, differences on Marian doctrine or dogma, how salvation comes about, purgatory, and more.

Carlton provides well-documented footnotes and bibliographical references. The writing style is not overly academic; most people can understand what he is writing about. His opposition to unity - unless Rome repents - comes across very clearly. Toward the end of the book, he takes issue with the noted Catholic author Scott Hahn, who is a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism. Carlton asserts that Hahn could have done better by becoming Orthodox. Carlton also compares the Roman Catholic Church to almost being Protestant, especially after Vatican II.

The Truth is worthwhile for Roman Catholics to read and to learn why there is opposition in some Orthodox circles against unity. Carlton shows that it is not just because of the crimes of the Crusades but also theology and doctrine that keep us from being one as Jesus intended. Some Orthodox consider Roman Catholics to be heretics, whereas Catholics consider Orthodox to be only schismatics.

Some Roman Catholics will be offended by this book because of what is said of Mary, the various apparitions of Mary, and other issues. The Roman Catholic reader needs to have an open mind in reading this in order to learn about why some Orthodox opposes unity. This book is recommended for that reason.