Putin Wants Christian Unity, Says Russian Envoy

[尼古拉前执事]

Putin Wants Christian Unity, Says Russian Envoy

Problems for Catholic Priests Reportedly Being Resolved There

ROME, MARCH 18, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Vladimir Putin's representative to the Vatican said his government is seeking unity among Christians, and promised it will not create problems for Catholic priests working in Russia.

Vitaly Litvin, the Russian Federation's ambassador to the Holy See, announced this in an interview published on the Web page www.korazym.org.

The Russian ambassador said he believes that the recent visit of Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was positive, as it facilitated agreement on a number of points.

Specifically, Litvin mentions "the creation of a bilateral mixed group for the solution of problems between the two Churches," Catholic and Orthodox. He also cites "an agreement to exchange professors of seminaries and academies" and "an exchange of theological points of view which will take place in the near future."

"It can be said that a whole program has been thought-out for the development of interreligious dialogue," Litvin says.

At their Feb. 22 meeting, Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II and Cardinal Kasper discussed issues related to the missionary activity of the Catholic Church, and to the Greek-Catholic Church's request to create a patriarchate in Ukraine, according to the ambassador.

According to "the view of the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as that of other Orthodox Churches, a patriarchate should not be created on territory in which there is already one in existence," Litvin said.

Speaking of Putin's intentions, the ambassador confirmed that the Russian president "wants unity among Christians," as well as "his country's involvement in the European reality."

The ambassador mentioned "a statement of the Patriarchate of Moscow on the need to take into account the Christian roots in the European Constitutional Treaty, which is being debated. In this connection, the position of the Russian Orthodox Church coincides with that of the Catholic Church and the actions of both Churches can be carried out in this area."

For Putin, the "unity of Christians is connected strictly to the religious aspect, but has a wider view," Litvin said. "Better knowledge of the East and West is necessary, in a wider sense, which also contributes to favor the unity of Christians."

"I am referring to daily life, to culture, to language, to the common historical past as it is Christian," the ambassador continued.

Regarding the problem of visas for Catholic priests -- some of them expelled by the Russian authorities -- the ambassador said: "At present there is no problem of visas for Catholic priests in the Russian territory. What is more, I should say that several Catholic priests already have a residence permit to carry out their pastoral ministry on Russian territory. This shows that greater attention is being given to their pastoral activity."

"Some problems remain, but they are bureaucratic and administrative, and do not affect Catholics alone but also Muslims and foreigners -- in a word, all," the diplomat said. "But administrative problems can be resolved."

[Etienne]

I have a sense it not only President Putin that wants unity,

On 17 January, 2004 Bishop Basil of Sergievo (MP Sourzoh diocese) celebrated Vespers at the RC Westminster Cathedral. At about this time he had been telling his people that nothing should be done that might alienate ROCOR folk, (sorry cannot now pin down that statement). On the Sourozh website I find a report that the Patriarch had received an apology from Metropolitan Laurus for the harst things that (ROCOR) had said in the past!

In the same week there had been other Orthodox heirarchs involved in ecumenical activities at heterodox churches including Archbishop Gregorios (EP Thyatiera).

At this point RC traditionalists might be reeling at the appointment by the supposedly conservative Pope Paul of a woman as Undersecretary of State for the Consecrated Life, i.e. no 3 in that department. (The Times, 26.4.04, London).

A coming together is being 'engineered', and many of the problems or frictions appear to be over territory, status, protecting the interests of particular constituencies or attachment to form.

Somewhere in all this are those trying to discern the True Pathway.......

[fserafim]

The choir at Ennismore Gardens, MP parish has sung regularly at Westminster Cathedral and at the French Protestant parish. This has usually taken place on the Sunday of Orthodoxy and began in 1960s. The idea was to witness to non-Orthodox. At that time the Anglican Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius acted as a clearing house for Anglicans seeking Orthodoxy - I was one of 'em. Many of us have moved on - but it was a beginning. Now (Fr Andrew Phillips?) other clergy may be alarmed at the goings-on in the diocese of Sourozh, but it was a path to Orthodoxy. The xenophobia of the 'other' Russians did not help missionary work and it has not helped here in the USA in some instances. St John, Arcbishop Averky and Antony of SF come to mind as missionaries amidst the general xenophobia of the diaspora.

Fr Serafim

[Etienne]

Fr Seraphim,

Thank you for putting the Orthodox Vespers at Westminster Cathedral into a historical perspective. You mention that the choir had sung there each year since the 1960s, but it this the same as an Orthodox Bishop serving vespers in a Catholic Cathedral? As to any concerns that Father Andrew Phillips may or may not have, he no doubt can answer for himself.

My understanding was that it was a very striking and beautiful service, and the correspondent of The Times remarked on it some detail in her report. Putting a range of profound concerns on one side, while for some it may provide an invitation to approach Orthodoxy it may also reinforce for others that we are all one now.

My experience of attitudes within the diaspora over 30 years have been quite mixed. I found only occasional xenophobia and most usually from those for whom the 'church' was more akin to a service mens' club than a place of worship. I lost count of the kindness, warmth and admonitions to keep up the struggle. Memories here are stirred of all those old Eastern European men and women coming with only fragmented English, a kiss and a prosfora. (If only I had been more receptive to their encouragement).

The xenophobia I sometimes met was in the reverse direction, a lack of tolerance and understanding. Some laughed at the Russians and the comparison of their exile to that of the Babylonians. Ridiculous it seemed, until the Berlin Wall fell.

In Greece the response of Orthodox believers was extemely positive, regardless of whether they were on the Church or new calendar.

A greater problem of access over the years has been language, finding venues within reasonable travelling distance and this is an area which has seen significant change.