Pope
Francis greets delegation from Ecumenical Patriarch
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday met with a delegation of the Ecumenical
Patriarch of Constantinople, Batholomew I, which is in Rome for the Feast of
Sts. Peter and Paul, which is on Monday.
“Your
presence at the celebrations of our feast testifies once again to the deep
relationship between the sister Churches of Rome and Constantinople,
foreshadowed by the bond which unites the respective patron Saints of our
Churches, the Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers in blood and faith, united in
apostolic service and martyrdom,” said Pope Francis.
The
Holy Father took the occasion to renew his support for the work of the Joint
International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church
and the Orthodox Church.
“The
problems which we may encounter in the course of our theological dialogue must
not lead us to discouragement or resignation,” said Pope Francis. “The careful
examination of how in the Church the principle of synodality and the service of
the one who presides are articulated, will make a significant contribution to
the progress of relations between our Churches.”
The
full text of the Pope’s remarks are below
Address
of His Holiness Pope Francis
to
the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Saturday
27 June 2015
Dear
Brothers in Christ,
It is with joy and heartfelt friendship that I greet you and welcome you to
Rome on the feast of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, principal patrons of
this Church. Your presence at the celebrations of our feast testifies
once again to the deep relationship between the sister Churches of Rome and
Constantinople, foreshadowed by the bond which unites the respective patron
Saints of our Churches, the Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers in blood and
faith, united in apostolic service and martyrdom.
I recall with gratitude the warm welcome given to me at the Phanar of my
beloved brother, Bartholomew, by the clergy and faithful of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, on the feast of Saint Andrew last November. The ecumenical
prayer on the vigil of the feast, and then the Divine Liturgy in the
Patriarchal Church of Saint George, offered us the possibility of together
praising the Lord and asking him with one voice for that day to draw nearer
when full, visible communion between Orthodox and Catholics may be
reestablished. The embrace of peace exchanged with His Holiness was an
eloquent sign of that fraternal charity which encourages us along the path of
reconciliation, and which will enable us one day to participate together at the
altar of the Eucharist.
Attaining that goal, towards which we have set out together in trust,
represents one of my main concerns, for which I do not cease to pray to
God. I hope, therefore, that opportunities may increase for meeting each
other, for exchange and cooperation among Catholic and Orthodox faithful, in
such a way that as we deepen our knowledge and esteem for one another, we may
be able to overcome any prejudice and misunderstanding that may remain as a
result of our long separation. It is my desire that we may be able to
face, in truth but also with a fraternal spirit, the difficulties which still
exist. In this way, I wish also to renew my support for the important
work of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the
Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. The problems which we may
encounter in the course of our theological dialogue must not lead us to discouragement
or resignation. The careful examination of how in the Church the
principle of synodality and the service of the one who presides are
articulated, will make a significant contribution to the progress of relations
between our Churches.
Dear brothers, as preparations for the Pan-Orthodox Synod are intensifying, I
assure you of my prayers and that of many Catholics, that these extensive
efforts may come to fruition. I trust also in your prayers for the
Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, on the theme
of the family, which will take place here in the Vatican this coming October,
at which we are looking forward also to the participation of a fraternal
delegate from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
With regard to agreement and cooperation on the most urgent issues, I am
pleased to recall that in the recent conference that presented my Encyclical
Laudato si’ on care for our common home, the Patriarch Bartholomew sent you,
dear Metropolitan John, to address the conference on this occasion.
I renew my gratitude for your presence and for your cordial expressions of
closeness. I ask you to convey my fraternal greeting to His Holiness
Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy Synod, together with my most heartfelt
appreciation for having desired to send eminent representatives to share our
joy. Please pray for me and for my ministry.
“Peace to all of you that are in Christ!” (1 Pt 5:14)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét