Cardinal Joins Birthday Celebration for Alexy II
Mar 04, 2006
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II invited Cardinal Roger Etchegaray to take part in the celebrations for his birthday and name day.
MOSCOW, FEB. 26, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace described the invitation "as a symbol of respect toward the Catholic Church and fruit of a profound friendship."
The celebration took place Friday in the Cathedral of the Holy Savior Jesus Christ. Alexy II turned 77 on Feb. 23.
The ceremony was attended by the country's Orthodox hierarchy, as well as some distinguished guests, among whom was Cardinal Etchegaray, representing the Catholic Church, accompanied by Archbishop Antonio Menini, the Holy See's representative to the Russian Federation.
"I came to Moscow by express invitation of Patriarch Alexy II, with whom I have been united in a cordial, fraternal and friendly relationship for more than 30 years," the cardinal told ZENIT.
"Although this was a personal invitation, it has a public effect which I hope will have favorable repercussions in the relationship between both Churches," the cardinal said, who added that he brought with him a congratulatory letter from Benedict XVI.
Ecumenical efforts
The cardinal commented to ZENIT that he and Patriarch Alexy II met when Europe was divided in two large blocs of Communism and capitalism.
The cardinal was president of the Catholic bishops' conference of Europe and the patriarch was president of the Conference of European Churches.
According to Cardinal Etchegaray, together they organized the first European ecumenical meeting, which was of great importance to initiate the rapprochement between both Churches, and shared pastoral challenges during the Communist period.
"Catholics and Orthodox must collaborate hand in hand to respond to the questions of the present-day world and disseminate better the Word of Christ," the cardinal said. "When we look at the Gospel message, we must be optimistic about the future of society and of the Church herself.
"The most important question is: How can we be faithful to the Gospel of Christ? Consequently, we must be courageous so as not to mask or conceal our belief."
Cardinal Joins Birthday Celebration for Alexy II