Pope sends greetings to Patriarch
Bartholomew on feast of St Andrew
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| Pope Francis with Patriarch Bartholomew on September 17, 2019 |
Pope Francis sends a letter to Patriarch Bartholomew of
Constantinople on Saturday, and expresses his hopes for the re-establishment of
full communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
By Devin Watkins
Following a long-standing custom, the Holy See sent a
delegation to Istanbul to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, the patron saint
of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, on November 30th.
The delegation – led by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity – participated in the Divine
Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George.
Desire for full communion
Cardinal Koch handed Patriarch Bartholomew a letter from
Pope Francis, in which the Pope expressed his spiritual closeness. The letter
was read out publicly at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
“I convey the assurance of the unwavering intention of the
Catholic Church, as well as my own,” said the Pope, “to continue in our
commitment to working towards the re-establishment of full communion among the
Christians of the East and the West.”
Pope Francis noted that 2019 marks the 40th anniversary
since the foundation of the Joint International Commission for Theological
Dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
He expressed his gratitude for all those who have worked
toward re-establishing full communion.
“The search for the re-establishment of full communion among
Catholics and Orthodox is certainly not confined to theological dialogue, but
is also accomplished through other channels of ecclesial life,” he said.
Evangelizing and charitable works
The Patriarchate of Constantinople also sends a delegation
to Rome every year on June 29th, to mark the feast of Saints Peter
and Paul.
These reciprocal delegations, said the Pope, represent
“authentic gestures of mutual respect and esteem”, and show a “shared fidelity
to the word of our one Lord Jesus Christ, and the will to remain together in
His love.”
Pope Francis added that proclaiming the Gospel and working
together to carry out charitable works in favor of the poor are signs of the
two Churches’ mature relationship.
“The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church,” he said,
“have already embarked upon this promising journey, as testified by our joint
initiatives.”
And he urged Catholics and Orthodox faithful to strengthen
“the daily dialogue of love and life” by praying and working together in
harmony.
Spiritual friendship
Finally, Pope Francis wished Patriarch Bartholomew a blessed
feast of Saint Andrew, and praised their shared friendship.
“Beloved brother in Christ, to whom I am bound by a sincere
and fraternal friendship,” said the Pope, “these are just some of the hopes and
sentiments that fill my heart and that I wish to share with you on this joyous
occasion.”
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