Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - At the end of visit made by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople to Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, John Paul II and Bartholomew I signed a common Declaration reiterating “firm decision to continue on the path towards full communion among us in Christ”. Recalling the “ positive steps which have marked this common journey”, beginning with the historical embrace between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, 5 and 6 January 1964, the Catholic and Orthodox Church leaders affirm: “with perseverance we have continued the ‘dialogue of charity’, with our gaze set on that luminous and blessed day when it will be possible to communicate at the same chalice of the Lord’s Sacred Body and Precious Blood”.
“We thank the Lord for the exemplary gestures of reciprocal charity, participation and sharing He has allowed us to make ” the Declaration continues mentioning “the Pope’s visit to Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios in 1979, when at the see of Fanar, the creation was announced of a "Mixed International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole ", to the meeting in Assisi for the "Day of Prayer for Peace in the World" and the Common Declaration for the Protection of Creation signed in 2002.
Despite progress made towards full communion, obstacles have been encountered of various nature doctrinal, due to conditioning of a difficult history and also profound political and social changes in Europe. In fact even the "Mixed International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole” has marked time in recent years. “Nevertheless it remains a suitable structure for examining the ecclesiological and historical problems which lie at the basis of our difficulties and identify possible solutions. It is our duty to continue decisive commitment to reactivate its work as soon as possible”.
The Declaration affirms: “Faced with a world suffering from all kinds of division and unbalance, today’s meeting intends to concretely underline how important it is for Christians and Churches and live in peace and harmony and to bear witness together to the message of the Gospel in a credible and convincing manner.”
Thanking the Lord that Europe has been extended towards the East, John Paul II and Bartholomew I express the hope that “in this new situation, collaboration among Catholics and Orthodox may grow. Many are the challenges we must face together to contribute to the wellbeing of society: heal with love the scourge of terrorism, instil hope for peace, help solve many painful conflicts; restore the European Continent’s awareness of her Christian roots; build authentic dialogue with Islam, because indifference and reciprocal ignorance give rise only to diffidence and even hatred; nourish awareness of the sacredness of human life; work to ensure that science does not deny the spark of divine life received by every human person with the gift of life; collaborate to ensure that this earth is not disfigured and that creation may retain the beauty given it by God; and, above all, proclaim with new vigour the Message of the Gospel, showing men and women of today how the Gospel can help them find themselves again and build a more human world.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 2/7/2004; Righe 39 - Parole 542)
