Posted on 02/08/2016 9:43:05 AM PST by marshmallow
Moscow, February 8, Interfax - While problems remain in the relations between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches, both see protection of persecuted Christians as a priority, the synodal Department for External Church Relations said ahead of the upcoming meeting between the patriarch and the pope.
"If we are talking of the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, this is a meeting between two brightest and most significant leaders of the Christian world, the leaders of the largest Christian communities. There were many years of thorough preparations for the meeting," Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations secretary for inter-Christian relations Hieromonk Stephan (Igumnov) told Interfax-Religion.
While it cannot be said that problems that hindered this meeting have finally been solved, "today the circumstances have formed, as a result of which it is no longer possible to postpone the meeting," he said.
At issue is the situation of Christians in the Middle East, in North Africa, in a number of other regions of the world, and the meeting between the patriarch and the pontific "will focus primarily and precisely on this problem," he said.
Persecutions "against our brothers today is the pain shared by all Christians, prompting to jointly stand up for them," he said.
The agenda of the two Churches includes a whole host of other topics on which they share views: the problem of preserving the traditional moral values, family protection, and many other issues, the priest said.
"But the main reason today is the need to make a joint statement in support of the Christians in those regions where they are persecuted," he said.
It was reported that Patriarch Kirill and Pope Frances will be meeting in Havana on February 12. This will be the first ever meeting between a Russian patriarch and a pope. It has been about 20 years in the planning.
The central topic of the meeting will be persecutions against Christians in the Middle East. A joint declaration will be signed after the meeting.
They have to meet in Havana, under the auspices of an anti-God dictator (and persecutor of Christians)?
Who thought that one up?
As a Roman Catholic I do not blame the Eastern Church not wanting to meet with the socialist/global warming pope.
Francis is the biggest mistake the church has made since Vatican II
Will a word be said about the host nation???
The Russians chose a pretty poor time to finally agree to a meeting, unless they truly are discussing the increased persecution of Christians...Which I kind of doubt for some reason. The chosen meeting place is too fishy.
The imposter of Rome gets kicked!
“The Russians chose a pretty poor time to finally agree to a meeting...”
No, they think they’ll get all sorts of concessions about Ukraine, Eastern Catholics’ legal rights, etc. They might be right too.
“They have to meet in Havana, under the auspices of an anti-God dictator (and persecutor of Christians)?”
Only Nixon could go to China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China
Even the Vulcans get in on the act: http://askville.amazon.com/meaning-Vulcan-Nixon-China/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=39768762
Cuba is somewhat neutral territory. Officially communist but rapidly changing and now open to U.S. investment again. Officially atheist, but historically Catholic. Spanish speaking (like the pope), but long friendly with the Russians. In its own weird way, it makes sense.
Your pope is extremely well thought of among the Orthodox; maybe as well thought of as BXVI, though for different reasons.
The Protestants, Evangelicals, Jews, communists, socialists, treehuggers and homosexuals also think well of this pope.
“The Protestants, Evangelicals, Jews, communists, socialists, treehuggers and homosexuals also think well of this pope.”
Which of course positions him perfectly to bring these folks into The Church in the West. Have faith, et.
This pope isn't looking to bring anyone into "the Church".... which is partly why they love him so much.
This Pope has absolutely no intention to bring anybody into the Catholic Church.
He discouraged the Protestant “Bishop” Tony Palmer from converting to Catholicism.
Ha ha...beat you to it!
Because this Pope knows his time as Pope will be a short one!
Riiiight.
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