Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – With the words of the Apostle Paul - “Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ ” (Eph 1, 2) - the Holy Father Benedict XVI welcomed the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople received in audience on 27 June, on the occasion of the celebration of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. “Today, with this announcement of peace and salvation, I welcome you to the feast of our patron Saints Peter and Paul, with which we will conclude the Year of St Paul– the Pope said -. Last year the Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomeus I, honoured us with his presence to celebrate together the inauguration of this year of prayer, reflection, exchange of gestures of fraternal communion between Rome and Constantinople. In turn we had the joy of sending a delegation to similar celebrations organised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It could not have been otherwise in this year dedicated to St Paul, who strongly encouraged Christians to ‘preserve unity of spirit through the bond of peace', teaching us that there is only ‘one body and one spirit’ (Eph 4, 3-4).”
Inviting the special guests to join him in thanking the Lord “for the fruits and benefits brought by the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul”, the Holy Father underlined that the presence of the delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate “is a sign of ecclesial brotherhood”, and reminds us of “our common commitment to reach full communion ”. And he said: “the Catholic Church intends to contribute in every possible way to restore full communion, in response to Christ's will for his disciples and in keeping with the teaching of Paul, who reminds us that we are all called to ‘the one and the same hope.”
In this perspective the Pontiff expressed his confidence “ that progress will be made with the activity of the international mixed Commission for theological dialogue between Orthodox and Catholics ” which will meet in the month of October to reflect on “a crucial theme for relations between East and West, namely, the ‘role of the Bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church during the first millennium’. The study of this aspect shows itself to be indispensable in order to globally reflect on the matter in the present picture of our quest for full communion”. Concluding his address Benedict XVI said he hoped “misunderstanding and tension among Orthodox delegates in the last plenary sessions of the Commission may be overcome with fraternal love so that dialogue may be more amply representative of Orthodox Christianity ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/6/2009; righe 30, parole 436)
