Posted on 02/21/2004 1:10:11 PM PST by Destro
Saturday February 21, 2004
VATICAN SAYS IT WILL NOT SET UP PATRIARCHATE IN UKRAINE
(AGI) – Vatican City, Feb 21st – Pope John Paul II will not set up a Greek-Catholic patriarchate in Ukraine as this might hurt the Russian Greek-Orthodox community, who would perceive it as an attempt at imposing Roman Catholic interests in an area which traditionally belongs to the Church of Moscow. This is according to a note issued today by the Press Department of the Holy See on the strength of the decisions made in the 19th February meeting among the Head of Foreign Relations at the Moscow Patriarchate, the Smolensk and Kaliningrad Metropolitan Bishop, Kirill, and Chairman of the Papal Council for the Unity of Christians, Card. Walter Kasper. The meeting was also attended by the papal ambassador in Russia, Antonio Mennini. According to the note, “during the meeting, both parties examined the issues related to the relation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, particularly with regards to Russia and Ukraine. Cardinal Kasper confirmed that the Holy See has received a written reply from the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the possibility of setting up a Greek-Catholic patriarchate in Ukraine, as well as similar replies from all local Orthodox churches. To this regard”, the note says, “Kasper stated that the common line endorsed by all Orthodox churches has been taken into serious account by authorities of the Roman Catholic Church”. Therefore, “the Catholic Church has assured its Orthodox counterpart that it is its intention to strengthen its positive relations with Orthodox churches. Both parties have agreed that, in order to solve any issues that may arise in the future with regards to relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, a work group will be set up featuring members of both Churches. The aim of the group will be examining and solving these issues”. (AGI) . 211802 FEB 04
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