Posted on 02/03/2009 7:41:21 AM PST by GonzoII
2009-02-03 12:23:00
Moscow, February 3, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said he hoped relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church would further develop.
The Russian Patriarch met with an official delegation of the Holy See, which attended his enthronement, at his working residence in Moscow on Monday.
Patriarch Kirill "expressed the hope that relations between the two churches would further develop in an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, primarily in defending and asserting the traditional Christian values in Europe and in the world as a whole," the Moscow Patriarchate reported on its website on Tuesday.
Coincidence of the Orthodox and Catholic believers' positions on many aspects of the life of present-day society could provide the groundwork for such interaction, the Patriarch said.
The Catholic delegation was led by Walter Cardinal Kasper, the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Council Secretary, Bishop Brian Farrell, and the Vatican envoy in Russia, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, were among the delegates.
Pope Benedict XVI, on his part, congratulated Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on his enthronement and reaffirmed his "esteem and spiritual closeness."
In a message to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, made available to Interfax-Religion on Tuesday, the pope said that Patriarch Kirill was now the successor of Alexy II, who "worked assiduously for the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and for communion with the other Orthodox Churches."
"He likewise maintained a spirit of openness and cooperation with other Christians, and with the Catholic Church in particular, for the defense of Christian values in Europe and in the world. I am certain that Your Holiness will continue to build on this solid foundation, for the good of your people and for the benefit of Christians everywhere," Pope Benedict said.
"I readily recall the good will which characterized our meetings at the time of your service as President of the Department of External Church Relations," the Pope writes.
"It is my earnest hope that we will continue to cooperate in finding ways to foster and strengthen communion in the Body of Christ," he said.
Pope Benedict's message was handed to the Russian patriarch on Monday by Walter Cardinal Kasper. He also passed to the Russian Patriarch a gift from the Pope - a communion cup as the token of the desire to reach complete communication soon.
Your Holiness, I hereby propose a "Moral Absolutes" ecumenical council, we can find some agreement there for sure.
Orthodox ping
That this could someday happen is my fervent prayer. That it will happen in my life is doubtful. But at least they are talking.
Indeed Patriach Kirill is key and quit influential, not just within Russian Orthodox but certainly to the autocephalas entities since, OCA among others.
I’ve followed the Eastern and Western teachings for a while now. The divides are not as simple as often perceived.
But at least they are talking now. Thats more than was happening not so long ago.
In time God may grant the schism to heal. But it will require humility on the part of both east and west.
Much of it has to do with the way we see things culturally, such as looking someone in the eye djuring an interview. In the Anglo-Saxon West it is a sign of an open encounter, but in many if not most cultures it is considered highly disrespectful, even a challenge and highly offensive.
In Latin, the words and concepts do not correspond to Greek counterparts. Consequently, such issues as "nature" and "persons" of the Triune God are understood and experienced to the point of nonrecognition.
The historical concept of primus inter pares, the jurisdictional extent of the papal ministry, which can be discerned from conciliar texts show the evolution of the concept of papacy as a divergent process between the east and the west.
The few theological differences that do exist are of dogmatic in nature and therefore reach to the very core of each Church.
It will certainly require more than just humility on both sides to come to any kind of understanding. But a joint statement of faith would be a good start. One would have to turn back the clock of time at least one thousand years and start form scratch. The east is ready (because it hasn't changed). but the west? I doubt it.
I agree. But for the time while dogmatic unity isn't possible, the both Churches could work together in promoting Christian values, social work in charity in today's secular society.
Your prayer and mine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.