Russian hierarch praises Pope, favors intensified relations

[尼古拉前执事]

20 May 2006, 11:48
Russian hierarch praises Pope Benedict XVI
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=1453

Rome, May 20, Interfax - The foreign relations chief of the Russian Orthodox Church called Pope Benedict XVI on Friday "a completely independent and very powerful theologian."

"I have been considerably impressed during my meetings with Professor Ratzinger, Cardinal Ratzinger, and then Pope Benedict XVI by what I can formulate as discipline of thought and discipline of the word," Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, told a news conference at the Russian Embassy in Rome.

Joseph Ratzinger was a German cardinal before he became Pope Benedict XVI.

"The pope is a completely independent and very powerful theologian," Kirill said.

"This has a strong effect on his service as the Roman pontiff," he said.

"I would by no means want to compare these two heads of the Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. This would be wrong and unnecessary," the metropolitan said.

[尼古拉前执事]

19 May 2006, 12:30
Russian Orthodox Church in favor of intensified relations with Catholics in face of modern global problem
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=1448

Moscow, May 19, Interfax - The present situation in the world dictates more active cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches, believes the head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad.

He stated this in summing up his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, which took place Thursday evening in Rome.

‘Let the complex theological issues we have inherited from the Middle Ages be discussed in due time. But what people expect from churches today should be discussed more dynamically and it is certainly necessary to reach joint decision which I believe may be of importance for both Europe and Russia’, the metropolitan said in an interview to the Vesti TV news.

[StephenG]

Well after all the drama of the MP-ROCOR rapprochement we now have this. And who exactly has changed? Has the MP changed or the RCs? Or has the ROCOR lost its' savour?

The following adage from my childhood comes to mind:

Birds of a feather flock together

Is all of this a move toward the spiritual good of the people and their salvation, or simply worldly church politicing?

[spiridon]

However way you may want to look at it doesnt matter, what does matter is that The Latin Church hasnt changed and wont change, there Idea of what is happening is there fallen away brothers in the Orthodox Church shouldnt be forgotten and should be allowed back into the church, even if this means they do there own thing, worship and elevate there own, But in Communion with the Latin Church would give the Pontiff what Christ gave to St.Peter for all to be of Christ and not of this fallen world...remember St. Peter Denied Christ even at the times when Christ walked amongst him , The key that was given was the key to understand repentance, for even a man like St.Peter who denied Christ, was given a chance for repentance in Christ..
this is the inteligent mind of the Latin church....

[pjhatala]

Am I missing something, or is the Russian Church simply discussing the possiblity of talking...? Since when is this some kind of sin??

[joasia]

There should be no "talks" with the vatican. They are a hopeless case. They should repent, because they are heretics. But, there seems to be something going on with the MP and the vatican if they are talking, but it's certainly not about Christ. It's all politics. In time, all will be revealed.

[AndyHolland]

St. Paul complimented demon worshippers (the gods of the pagans are demons) for the Altar to the Unknown God (Christ - indicating a desire for true worship) on Mars hill.

So praising the Pope for what he does correctly cannot be evil -shouldn't we 'overcome evil with good?'

andy holland
sinner