Pope urges Bartholomew I to 'continue towards communion'
Thanks to patriarch's support 'much progress' has been made
30 November, 16:52
(ANSA) - Vatican City, November 30 - Pope Benedict XVI on
Friday urged the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Bartholomew I to "continue with confidence along the path that
leads to the recovery of full communion" between the Roman
Catholic and Orthodox churches.
In a message conveyed by a papal delegation to Istanbul
for the feast of St Andrew the Apostle, the pontiff said "much
progress" had been made "on this road" thanks to the "assiduous
and active support" of Bartholomew I .
"Even though the road ahead still seems long and difficult,
our intention to continue in this direction remains unchanged,"
he added.
The Vatican delegation was led by Cardinal Kurt Koch,
President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity.He was accompanied by the Council Secretary, Bishop Brian Farrell, and by its undersecretary Monsignor Palmieri. The delegates took part in a solemn liturgy presided by Bartholomew I and met with the Ecumenical Patriarch and members of the synodal commission responsible for relations with the Catholic Church.
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