(Vatican Radio) The historic meeting of Pope Francis with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has a special significance during this Jubilee year of mercy. That’s the view of Dominican Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle who is in charge of relations with the Slavic Orthodox Churches at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity .
The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church announced on Friday that the Pope and the Patriarch will meet for the first time in Cuba on February 12th. A statement released jointly in Moscow and in Rome said the meeting will mark “an important stage in relations” between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and a “sign of hope for all people of good will”.
Fr Destivelle and Council President Cardinal Kurt Koch will be in the Cuban capital for the encounter and the signing of a joint declaration between the two leaders. Fr Destivelle talked to Philippa Hitchen about the background to this meeting and about the contents of that joint statement…..
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Fr Destivelle says there has been an intensification of relations over recent years, following on from a period of difficulties in the 1990s. At that time the Moscow Patriarchate accused the Catholic Church of proselytism as it restored Catholic structures in Russia following the fall of the Soviet Union. There was also the so-called ‘Uniate’ problem in Ukraine, but he says on both questions the Moscow Patriarchate has been reassured.
Fr Destivelle says the encounter between the Pope and Patriarch will take place in Havana’s José Marì international airport while the former is en route to Mexico and the latter is on a visit to Cuba. The two leaders will hold a two hour meeting and exchange gifts before signing a joint declaration.
Joint statement on different aspects of shared testimony
The statement will not be of a theological nature since that dialogue takes place in the framework of the International Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and all the Orthodox Churches. Instead, he says, it will be a declaration on different aspects of collaboration and testimony that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church can give in our world today. These may include the problem of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, secularization, the protection of life, marriage, the family and other issues of shared concern.
No unity without mercy
The role of the meeting, Fr Destivelle says, is within the framework of the dialogue of charity since Pope Francis has often said he is willing to promote a culture of encounter, especially in this Jubilee year of mercy – “there will be no unity without mercy”, he adds.
See also http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/05/pope,_patriarch_encounter_is_sign_of_hope_for_all_christians/1206350
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The relics of St. Pius of Pietralcina – Padre Pio, as he is popularly known around the world – and St. Leopold Mandic, made their way on Friday afternoon from the Church of San Salvatore in Lauro to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The relics of the two great saints – both of whom were Capuchin Franciscan friars and priests who were renowned as confessors – have come to Rome by the desire of Pope Francis in connection with the Jubilee Year of Mercy , as part of efforts to renew, rekindle and strengthen interest in and love for the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation.
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Following a Mass in nearby San Salvatore, at which the principal celebrant was the Archbishop of Manfredonia – Vieste – San Giovanni Rotondo, Michele Castoro, the saints’ relics were carried in solemn procession through the streets of Rome, across the Tiber River and into St. Peter’s, where they were received by the Cardinal-Archpriest, Angelo Comastri, who, after a moment of prayer, accompanied them into the Basilica and saw them placed in the central nave before the Altar of the Confession for the faithful to venerate.
The relics will remain in St. Peter’s for veneration until the morning of February 11 when, after a Holy Mass of thanksgiving at 7:30 am at the Altar of the Chair, they will be returned to their places of repose.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church announced on Friday that Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill will hold a historic first encounter in Cuba on February 12th. A statement released jointly in Moscow and in Rome said the meeting will mark “an important stage in relations” between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and a “sign of hope for all people of good will”.
Philippa Hitchen reports:
Pope Francis announced at the start of the Jubilee year of mercy that he himself intended to make some practical gestures showing God’s mercy to the world on one Friday of each month. Friday February 12th may prove to be the most significant of all those gestures, as the leader of the Catholic world and the head of the largest Orthodox Church meet together to show that, despite the issues still dividing them, they are determined to pursue the path of mercy, forgiveness and the restoration of full Christian unity.
The historic encounter has been years in the making, at least since the fall of the Soviet Union, when Pope John Paul II first expressed his desire to visit Russia and further the reconciliation of East and Western Christianity which officially divided in 1054. Since then there have been several behind-the-scenes attempts to orchestrate a meeting between popes and patriarchs, but political and religious tensions continued to stand in the way.
Warming of Catholic-Orthodox relations
Following a significant warming of relations – Cardinal Koch of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity travelled to Moscow and Metropolitan Hilarion came to Rome four times last year – the opportunity arose for a meeting on neutral territory in Cuba. The island nation was a key ally of Moscow during the Cold War and more recently Pope Francis played an important role in the rapprochement between Washington and Havana.
Two hour private conversation at Havana airport
The Pope will stop over at Havana airport en route to Mexico City, while Patriarch Kirill will arrive the previous day at the start of a visit to three Latin American nations. They will have a two hour private conversation, in Spanish and Russian, with just their interpreters and closest advisers present in the airport salon. They will exchange gifts and sign a joint declaration before speaking briefly with journalists to share their impressions and expectation. Both leaders have asked Christians everywhere to pray for this encounter, a practical sign of healing, forgiveness and great hope for the future.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is asking people around the world to pray during the month of February for an increase of attention to and care for our common home. The Holy Father is making the request through his new video initiative in cooperation with the Jesuit-operated Apostleship of Prayer. Below, please fin the full text of the Holy Father’s Message, which you can view at thepopevideo.org/ .
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Believers and unbelievers agree that the earth is our common heritage, the fruits of which should benefit everyone.
However, what is happening in the world we live in?
The relationship between poverty and the fragility of the planet requires another way of managing the economy and measuring progress, conceiving a new way of living.
Because we need a change that unites us all.
Free from the slavery of consumerism.
This month I make a special request:
That we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations.
Caring for our common home.
(from Vatican Radio)…
The Holy Father, Pope Francis has met Zambia’s Republican President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu Friday morning in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The Zambian President, Mr. Lungu arrived shortly after 10.30 hours. He was accompanied to the Vatican by his wife, Esther. Also, with the President was Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Harry Kalaba, Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. Muyeba Chikonde who is also accredited to the Holy See. Others were Zambian government officials and state house aides. Upon arrival in the Vatican, Mr. Lungu was welcomed by Archbishop Georg Gänswein who is the Prefect of the Papal Household and the personal secretary of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Archbishop Gänswein then led President Lungu to Pope Francis’ private library. In the library, Pope Francis held a closed-door meeting with Mr. Lungu that lasted almost 25 minutes. Later the Vatican Press Office released a statement saying that the discussions were cordial and about the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Zambia. Also discussed were the contribution of the Catholic Church in Zambia through involvement in the educational, social and healthcare institutions, as well as the Church’s collaboration in combating poverty and social inequality and the promotion of peaceful social and religious co-existence through a culture of dialogue and encounter. The statement further said attention then turned to themes of common interest, including migration, climate change and the protection of the environment. Finally, Pope Francis and Mr. Lungu discussed the international situation, with the focus on conflicts that affect various areas of Africa as well as Zambia’s commitment to peace. At the end of the visit, the Pope Francis and President Lungu exchanged gifts. The Holy Father also personally gave rosaries to Mr. Lungu’s entourage. The Zambian President gave to Pope Francis a big Copper plaque depicting the big five animals found in Zambia.
Later, President Lungu met the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. President Lungu was in the afternoon expected to hold talks with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The two international organisations have their head offices in Rome.
In the evening of the same day, Mr. Lungu was expected to meet Zambians living in Italy at the residence of Zambia’s ambassador to Italy, Ms. Gertrude Mwape. The following day, 6 February President Lungu and his entourage were scheduled to tour Saint Peter’s Basilica before leaving Italy in the afternoon for another official visit to France. (Fr. Paul Samasumo, Vatican Radio) email: engafrica@vatiradio.va (from Vatican Radio)…