Pope thanks Russian Orthodox Patriarch for their growing friendship

CNA ^ | May 30, 2008

[NYer]

Vatican City, May 30, 2008 / 10:09 am (CNA).- During his visit to Russia, Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity met with Holiness Alexis II, Patriarch of Moscow, and delivered a message from the Holy Father.  In his letter, Pope Benedict highlighted the similarities of the two Christian religions and expressed gratitude for the dialogue between the two churches.

The Pope writes that Cardinal Kasper’s visit to Russia provides a timely opportunity for the Pontiff to extend his greetings to the Russian Orthodox Church, “to express my esteem for your ministry in the Russian Orthodox Church and to restate my appreciation for your commitment to fostering relations between Catholics and Orthodox."

"It is with joy that I reflect on the experience of growing closeness between us, accompanied by the shared desire to promote authentic Christian values and to witness to our Lord in ever deeper communion.”  To emphasize this point, the Pope recalled the “recent visit of Your Holiness to Strasbourg and Paris, and the warm welcome given to the Catholic archbishop of the archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow during the Christmas celebrations last year.”

"Another sign of fraternity and friendship towards the Catholic Church is to be seen in the invitation extended to Cardinal Kasper by His Eminence Kirill, metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, to visit that eparchy on the occasion of his name-day. This is not only a sign of personal goodwill, but also a gesture towards the Catholic Church which Cardinal Kasper represents."

Additionally, the Pope mentions that the cardinal will visit Kazan to venerate the icon of the Mother of God that Pope John Paul II sent to Alexis II.  “This icon represents a strong closeness between us” and “also provides an opportunity to encounter Muslims, who show great respect for Mary, the Mother of God.”

After reiterating his gratitude to Alexis II for his dialogue with various religions, the Pope concluded with a final blessing.  "May the Risen Savior grant you health, peace and inner joy, and may he bring us closer to each other, that we may undertake together our journey towards full communion in Him."

[NYer]

ZE08053002 - 2008-05-30
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22744?l=english

Papal Letter to Moscow Patriarch Alexy II

"I Reflect on the Experience of Growing Closeness Between Us"

VATICAN CITY, MAY 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of Benedict XVI's English-language letter he sent to Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. The letter was delivered by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, during his 10-day visit to Russia, which ends today.

* * *

The visit to Russia of His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper offers me a welcome opportunity to extend my cordial greetings, to express my esteem for your ministry in the Russian Orthodox Church and to restate my appreciation for your commitment to fostering relations between Catholics and Orthodox. It is with joy that I reflect on the experience of growing closeness between us, accompanied by the shared desire to promote authentic Christian values and to witness to our Lord in ever deeper communion. I think with gratitude of the recent visit of Your Holiness to Strasbourg and Paris, and the warm welcome given to the Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow during the Christmas celebrations last year.

Another sign of fraternity and friendship towards the Catholic Church is to be seen in the invitation extended to Cardinal Kasper by His Eminence Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, President of the Department for External Church Affairs of the Patriarchate of Moscow, to visit that Eparchy on the occasion of his name–day. This is not only a sign of personal goodwill, but also a gesture towards the Catholic Church which Cardinal Kasper represents.

During his time in Russia, Cardinal Kasper will visit Kazan to venerate the icon of the Mother of God which my beloved predecessor, Pope John Paul II, conveyed to Your Holiness through the good offices of Cardinal Kasper, who personally accompanied the sacred image back to its homeland. This icon bears a likeness to all the other venerable icons of the Mother of God, and as such offers a powerful sign of the closeness which exists between us. It also offers an opportunity for encounter with Muslims, who show great respect for Mary, the Mother of God. Your Holiness has been increasingly committed to dialogue with other Christians and the members of other religions, and it is with deep gratitude that I have followed with prayerful interest the signs of friendship and trust which your Church and its representatives have demonstrated in various ways.

With gratitude for your commitment to dialogue with different ecclesial, religious and social bodies, I extend in this Easter season my warmest best wishes for your ministry, entrusting to the Lord my prayer that the great mystery of our salvation, the Death and Resurrection of our Lord, may ever more deeply guide your life and your service to the Church. May the Risen Saviour grant you health, peace and inner joy, and may he bring us closer to each other, that we may undertake together our journey towards full communion in him.

From the Vatican, 19 May 2008

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

[Technogeeb]

In his letter, Pope Benedict highlighted the similarities of the two Christian religions

They are not different religions. The schism did not create two churches, but a church divided. There is only one Holy Apostolic Catholic Church, even if the members of that true Church might be divided among a variety of ecclesiastical communities.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

We have to work together! There are two threats: atheistic materialsim (American pop culture) and the Cult of Death.
By fostering Christian practice we can hold off the threats.

[Kolokotronis]

Nice.

[Kolokotronis]

Orthodox ping.

[kronos77]

Nice,
Speaking for Serb Orthodox Christians, we believe that things are going in right direction, sofar.

[RKBA Democrat]

I really do hope and pray that this all bears fruit. I would be lying if I said I thought I would live to see it, but maybe my kids might.

[Cronos]

well, at least they’re talking and on cordial terms with each other. The Church moves slowly, even if it’s constituent parts are moving closer. You’re right, it will take time, but it’s a step in the right direction. Next, both sides need to respect each other and talk on non-dogmatic issues initially. There’s a lot of ground and a lot of time before we can even think about having an ecumenical council that will talk about dogmatic and political issues, but hey, we’re movign in the right direction.