That is the quickest way to make the Ecumenical Patriarch and non-factor in Orthodox Church affairs. He already heads the Constantinople Church which has only a handful of members. His title as the 'First Among Equals' is historical, but doesn't reflect the almost complete elimination of the congregation in Turkey. He presides over an almost non-existent congregation.
Don't get me wrong, I have great respect for the institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and it's historic and spiritual significance for the Orthodox Church. But his power is derived from the consent of the lay people as well as Priesthood, Monasteries and Orthodox Church hierarchy. If he were to make a move to become closer to Rome, I can see many Orthodox Christians turning their back on Constantinople. Besides, our Church has historically used consensus to craft Church policy-the Patriarch is not a Pope and he has never held that kind of power. We do things by Counsel.
Agreed with all of this. Also, it is my understanding that Patriarch Bartholomew is largely unpopular in Greece, especially among lay people, but, I would also imagine he is equally unpopular among the clergy (not sure about the bishops) and I have seen that he is not commemorated in many places on Mt. Athos.
Likewise, if he ever made a power play for Rome, you can bet that he would lose the entirety of the Elder Ephraim monasteries in America and I would imagine a good portion of GOARCH parishes, at least outside of the ethnic Greek parishes in the Northeast and Chicago. I get the impression that many, many people in the GOA (a lot of clergy included) are already extremely tired of Archbishop Elpidophoros and his shenanigans, not to mention the St. Nicholas "shrine" money debacle, that it would not take very much to push them over the edge.
But, that is just my take, but, we shall see what goes on come August when he visits Ukraine. If he formally excommunicates Metropolitan Onuphry like some have suspected he will, then all bets are off.