Do the responsibilities of one’s local diocese hinder one from actively participating in the universal Church?

St. Basil the Great successfully followed St. Athanasius’ example in his concern for the universal Church. His friend St. Gregory of Nazianzus speaks of this in his eulogy at St. Basil’s funeral. It is important for the bishop to attend to the needs of the universal Church alongside his duties towards the diocese with which he is entrusted.

St. Basil the Great wrote to St. Athanasius: “Although it is quite enough for most men to watch over their own responsibilities, this does not suffice for you. On the contrary, you have as great a care for all the churches as for the one particularly entrusted to you by our benign Lord. For, indeed, you never cease reasoning, admonishing, writing, and on every occasion sending the best counselors.”¹⁷⁰⁰

And St. Gregory of Nazianzus says of St. Basil, “When he had settled affairs at home to his satisfaction … he conceived a far greater and loftier design. While all other men had their eyes only on that which lay at their feet and considered how they might safeguard their own interests—if, indeed, this is to safeguard them—without going any further or being capable of conceiving or accomplishing any great or noble purpose, Basil, though he observed moderation in other respects, in this knew no measure. But lifting his head high and

1695 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Christian Ethics 80.17 (PP 51:321).

1696 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Christian Ethics 80.18 (PP 51: 321).

1697 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Christian Ethics 80.19 (PP 51: 321).

1698 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Christian Ethics 80.20 (PP 51: 321).

1699 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Christian Ethics 80.21 (PP 51:323).

1700 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 1–185 69 FOTC 13:164–165).

casting the eye of his soul in every direction, he obtained a mental vision of the whole world through which the word of salvation had been spread.”¹⁷⁰¹