For Rome and Moscow, It's Spring Again

espresso.repubblica.it ^ | ROME, December 11, 2009 | Sandro Magister

[GonzoII]

For the first time, the Russian Orthodox Church publishes a book with texts by a pope. The author is Benedict XVI. The topic is Europe. The objective is a holy alliance in defense of the Christian tradition

ROME, December 11, 2009 – In a terse statement two days ago, Russia and the Church of Rome announced "the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, at the level of apostolic nunciature on the part of the Holy See, and of embassy on the part of the Russian Federation."

Six days earlier, on December 3, Pope Benedict XVI had received in audience Dmitri Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, to whom he had given a Russian-language copy of the encyclical "Caritas in Veritate," and with whom he had discussed "cultural and social topics of common interest, like the value of the family and the contribution of believers to the life of Russia."

But it is not only with the authorities of the Russian state that the Church of Rome now has relations defined by both sides as "friendly."

With the Orthodox Church of Moscow as well, spring appears to have sprung.

One signal of this came at the same time as Medvedev's visit to Italy. A book was presented in Rome on December 2, published by the patriarchate of Moscow and containing the main speeches about Europe made over the past ten years by Joseph Ratzinger, as cardinal and pope.

The entire volume is in two languages, Italian and Russian. The title is taken from an expression that Benedict XVI used in Prague: "Europa, patria spirituale [Europe, spiritual homeland]." And its extensive introduction is signed by the president of the patriarchate's department for external Church relations, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk (in the photo), an authority of the highest order:

[GonzoII]

[Welcome2thejungle]

Is there ANY chance the two churches could be reunited?

[sitetest]

Not before Jesus’ Second Coming.

[ArrogantBustard]

When pigs fly ...

But even standing shoulder to shoulder and working for some common goal is a good thing.

[GonzoII]

"Is there ANY chance the two churches could be reunited?"

I know it's God's will therefore there is a chance. "That they may be ONE Father."

[Welcome2thejungle]

It seems that is more in common and in common history between the two churches which unites them than those issues which divide them.

[Kolokotronis]

Suppose the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago buys into the demonic entreaties of the Episcopalian Republican candidate for the the Senate in Chicago, embraces cheap right wing politics and makes the dream of so many Latin Freepers come true that the Roman Catholic Church in America becomes a sounding board for parochial American conservative party politics? How long do you think Moscow will have anything to do with Rome? Unless, of course, Rome slaps the politicized American Church down hard, which, I understand, is coming soon to a diocese near you.

Check it out; it seems that Latin Rite Freepers will countenance, indeed embrace any presumptuous apostate if his politics are right!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405669/posts

[Campion]

>> Is there ANY chance the two churches could be reunited?

Probably none.

But we can agree to stand together against secularism, and we can listen to each other, and we can make more of an effort to treat each other with love.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I love this. Please Put me (or keep me) on your ping list, gonzo.

[GonzoII]

"I love this. Please Put me (or keep me) on your ping list, gonzo."

Okay, but it's kind of sporadic, lol.