[David1]

As a Catholic, I have very deep respects for the Orthodox churches. I just could not understand why the patriarch of a church so repressed by communists in the past would go to Cuba and kiss the butt of a communist dictator.

[PattonReincarnated]

>> I just could not understand why the patriarch of a church so repressed by communists in the past would go to Cuba and kiss the butt of a communist dictator.

Go figure, I can't figure out why priests in America want to kiss each other's butts. Something very wrong is happening in catholic (lower-case 'c') churches. I'm a non-practicing Episcopalian that feels like I have no where to turn.

[MarMema]

I just could not understand why the patriarch of a church so repressed by communists in the past would go to Cuba and kiss the butt of a communist dictator.

Well for one thing I didn't think Constantinople was communist, and after that, Castro built the church and invited Bartholomew to come. It was a gift. I don't think Bartholomew kissed any one anywhere, it was widely reported that he didn't show at many political events which had expected him.

Bartholomew went to bless the church, thanked Castro with a gift and honor, then went home. It's called being gracious.

[kimosabe31]

The ecumenical patriarch is a tool. He kisses castro's butt in exchange for the church opening after 45 years of repression and thereby enables castro to suck up on a little self rightousness. The article fails to mention who selects the priest, the Patriarch or castro. I'm betting castro fills the job with one of his KGB agents as did the soviet union.