“During Vatican II an accredited journalist from the Lithuanian Socialist Soviet Republic gave a humorous orchestral interpretation of Catholic ecumenism. The story goes like this:

All churches are to play a part in the great Catholic symphony orchestra. The Orthodox are to play first violin, the Anglicans will be given second violin, the Lutherans counter base, and the young churches from mission lands the drums; all churches are to have at least a minor part. The Jews will be invited to play the harp. The soloists will be from Rome, the Curia will be the agent, and the conductor will always be the pope.” (Bert Beach, Vatican II: Bridging the Abyss, p.284 in V. Norskov Olsen, Papal Supremacy and American Democracy, 1987, p.107)