Cardinal Kasper "optimistic" on ties with Orthodox
May 29, 2006
Although relations between Moscow and Rome still involve "grave problems," Cardinal Walter Kasper (bio - news) says that he is "optimistic" about future relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.
May. 19 2006 (CWNews.com) - The president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity offered his thoughts on ecumenical ties in an interview with the Italian magazine Famiglia Cristiana, just before a visit to Rome by Metropolitan Kirill, the top ecumenical-affairs official of the Moscow patriarchate. Cardinal Kasper joined the Russian prelate in May 19 ceremonies inaugurating the first Russian Orthodox parish in the city of Rome.
Cardinal Kasper told Famiglia Cristiana that progress in relations with Moscow is likely to occur slowly, and it would be unrealistic to think that 1,000 years of schism can be repaired immediately. There are "enormous" differences on theological, canonical, and ecclesiastical questions, he said-- most notably on the question of papal primacy. Nevertheless the cardinal expressed satisfaction that theological discussions are resuming, with Catholic and Orthodox representatives set to meet for formal talks in September. The issue of papal primacy will be on the agenda, he reported, along with the status of the Eastern Catholic churches. The joint Catholic-Orthodox theological talks have been dormant since 2000, when officials reached a deadlock at a meeting in Baltimore. "Now we can start again," Cardinal Kasper said.
Regarding other Orthodox churches, the cardinal said that ecumenical prospects are mixed. Some serious problems in relations with the Georgian Orthodox Church have been overcome, and relations with the Serbian Orthodox are friendly enough so that the Catholic bishops meet regularly with the Orthodox synod.
Pope Benedict's trip to Turkey this November will be a very important moment for ecumenical affairs, Cardinal Kasper said. The Holy Father will meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The cardinal observed that the visit is "a sign of recognition of the Orthodox as a real Church, and also of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as the first among Orthodox patriarchs."
Cardinal Kasper "optimistic" on ties with Orthodox