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Skriven 2007-01-30 07:28:28 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

SPIRITUAL ECUMENISM, A TASK FOR EVERYONE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 2007 (VIS) - Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, today held a briefing for
journalists on the current state of ecumenism. The event was timed to coincide
with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, being held from January 18 to 25.

The meeting, held in the Holy See Press Office, was also attended by Bishop
Brian Farrell L.C. and Msgr, Eleuterio F. Fortino, respectively secretary and
under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.

Cardinal Kasper affirmed that last year had been particularly fruitful in
ecumenical terms, with the Pope's trip to Turkey, during which he signed a
joint declaration with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of
Constantinople; and the resumption of work of the Joint International
Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox.

Currently, one of the main themes is the primacy of Peter, with all the
theological, canonical and even emotional problems it brings. "It is necessary
to continue to pray and be patient to ensure progress in this area," said the
cardinal. "For now, replies have been received from various Churches, and these
are being analyzed and discussed."

On the subject of a possible meeting between Benedict XVI and Alexis II,
patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias, Cardinal Kasper indicated that "for
the moment nothing concrete has been decided." Relations with the Russian
Orthodox Church are improving, close collaboration also exists with various
dicasteries of the Roman Curia and various dioceses.

The president of the pontifical council denied that the Holy See has abandoned
relations with Protestant communities, describing such rumors as "groundless
insinuations." Various ecumenical delegations have been received by the Holy
Father and have participated in the Wednesday general audiences.

As for forthcoming ecumenical events, the cardinal mentioned the European
ecumenical meeting, due to be held at Sibiu, Romania in September; the plenary
of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between
Catholics and Orthodox, due to be held in Ravenna, Italy in 2007, at which it
is possible the Pope may be present; and the second ecumenical congress of
communities and movements, "Together for Europe," to be held in Stuttgart,
Germany.

At the end of his press briefing, Cardinal Kasper presented his new book
entitled "A Handbook of Spiritual Ecumenism, guidelines for its
implementation," which has just been published in Italian, English and French.
It contains practical and pastoral suggestions to strengthen spiritual
ecumenism, "which is," the introduction reads, "the soul of the entire
ecumenical movement." The book is addressed to everyone involved in ecumenical
activities in various dioceses and parishes, although each and every member of
the Church is called to make their own contribution, above all through prayer.
OP/ECUMENISM/KASPERVIS 070123 (460)

SUMMARY

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