Cardinal to Bring Alexy II a Papal Message

[Sean]

Cardinal to Bring Alexy II a Papal Message

VATICAN CITY, MAY 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Walter Kasper left for Moscow today to take a message from Benedict XVI to Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will be in Russia through May 30. The trip was undertaken at the invitation of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the president of the Department of External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, reported the pontifical council.

The program of the visit includes an inaugural celebration for the feast of Corpus Christi at the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow.

The cardinal will be received by Patriarch Alexy II in an encounter during which the cardinal will give him the Pope's message.

The pontifical council president will also participate in a celebration for the name day of Metropolitan Kirill.

Cardinal Kasper will make a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Kazan, to venerate the icon of Our Lady, which he himself brought to Russia in 2004 in the name of Pope John Paul II.

A visit to the monastery of Diveyevo is also scheduled. There, the cardinal will venerate a saint of the Orthodox Church, Seraphim of Sarov, particularly beloved by the Russian people.

[Kosmas]

Has Saint Seraphim specifically said anything that deemed Roman Catholicism as heretical?

"A visit to the monastery of Diveyevo is also scheduled. There, the cardinal will venerate a saint of the Orthodox Church, Seraphim of Sarov, particularly beloved by the Russian people."

[Helen]

Can't remember if it is documented whether Saint Seraphim specifically spoke of Catholics being heretical, but if Saint Seraphim spoke against Old Believers, then it is highly probable that he would have been against he Catholic religion.

Generally now and throughout the centuries, apart from a few individuals, Russians are very anti-Catholic (in my experience with Russians and from my readings) - and not without good reason.

Having said that, there have been instances in history where Jews and especially Muslims would come to venerate relics and received healing but did not necessarily convert to Orthodoxy. Would it be so bad if the Cardinal just visited the convent and venerated the relics? I'm not trying to be the devil's advocate and this is not a rhetorical question, if you think otherwise let me know - but please don't give me a thesis that only a few elect will understand - tell me in in your own words.

[Kosmas]

Dear Helen thank you for you response and I will try to answer your question with my own words.

Today, Orthodoxia is much weaker spiritually speaking than it was 100 years ago and prior. All the Orthodox Churches (for the most part) were united by the same Faith and by the same Calendar. When a heretic, Moslem, or Jew, came to venerate relics for healing, this generally brought no harm to Orthodox believers who were steadfast in the Faith. However the steadfastness of the typical Orthodox Christian at present is, how should I say tenuous.

The false idea that "all Christians have the same Baptism" has infected sadly, many Orthodox hierarchs. When a heretic comes to venerate a Saint today, the assumption is made that nothing really prevents a future Union between heresy and Orthodoxy.

Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will be in Russia through May 30.

For the sake of Ecumenism (not healing), a high level heretic has made the step to venerate St. Seraphim of Sarov. Perhaps in turn a Metropolitan will venerate the bones of Francis of Assisi and complete the deal. However this ubsurdity finishes, it will be a tragedy of the highest magnitude.

So what was a small issue in the past has become perilous in the present. It is not because the heretics are worse off but because most Orthodox Christians are very much so.

May the Lord Jesus Christ forgive us and help us through these dangerous times.