Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 46:1, Winter 2011 AN ALLIANCE OF THE SACRED: PROSPECTS FOR A CATHOLIC-ORTHODOX PARTNERSHIP AGAINST SECULARISM IN EUROPE Daniel P. Payne and Jennifer M. Kent PRECIS Catholic-Orthodox relations since the Great Schism have been characterized by discord and mutual distrust, yet contemporary relations are markedly warmer. This recent closeness can be partially explained by the presence of a perceived mutual enemy: secularism in Europe. This essay investigates how church leaders of the two traditions understand secularism in the modern world, as well as the rhetoric and writings of church leaders regarding the causes of secularism in Europe, the means they deem necessary to combat such secularism, and the potential benefits they see from allying with one another. Further, it evaluates obstacles such an alliance will face, both to its potential realization and to the effectiveness of such an alliance. Fi- nally, this essay considers the impact of a Catholic-Orthodox alliance on ecumenical relations. As the Orthodox and Catholics move closer on this important issue, their ecumenical relations with other Christian groups—-especially liberal Protestant groups—will suffer. Daniel P. Payne (Greek Orthodox) is assistant priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, TX. Ordained a priest in 2010 and a deacon in 2004, he served St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Waco, TX, 2004-10. From 2006 to 2010, he was also a lecturer and member of the graduate faculty of Baylor University, Waco, TX, at the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies and in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, serving also as an adjunct instructor at Baylor, 2001-06. He has also taught philosophy at Central Texas College, Killeen, TX; and at Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS. He holds a B.A. from Bethany; an M.Div. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theol- ogy, Brookline, MA; and a Ph.D. in religion, politics, and society (2006) from Baylor University. A book based on his dissertation, The Revival of Political Hesychasm in Contemporary Orthodox Thought, will be published by Lexington Books in March, 2011. His dozen articles have appeared in several academic journals and as book chapters, as have several book reviews. His academic presen- tations have been made in the U.S., Canada, Russia, and Japan, and he has participated in several conferences, especially at Baylor and Holy Cross. He is an honorary member of the editorial advi- sory board for the Institute for Religious Diplomacy at the University of Cluj, Romania. Jennifer Murray Kent (Roman Catholic) has completed her comprehensive exams for a Ph.D. in re- ligion, politics, and society, which she hopes to receive in 2012 from Baylor University. She holds a B.A. in politics from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC; and an M.A. in Church-State Studies (2008) from Baylor University. During 2010 she was assistant editor for manuscripts for the Journal of Church and State, published by the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, where she has been a graduate assistant since 2006. In 2007, she was a conference assistant for the Institute for Human Sciences for a conference in Vienna on Islam and Orthodoxy. She has been a research analyst and intern since 2009 for Parks Associates, and a tutor in 2009 for C2 Education, both in Dallas; a research assistant (2004) for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Schol- ars, and an intern (2003) for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, both in Washington, DC; and an intern for a member of the European Parliament (2004) in Brussels. She also served with Raising Saints Apostolate in Waco, as a supplemental education teacher, 2006-07. She presented a paper for the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in 2009 and will present in 2011. She and Payne made a presentation at the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture's annual Fall conference in 2007, and she published a book review in the Journal of Church and State in 2008. 41