ecumenism" "
He took to heart the cause of Christian unity and his pontificate represented “the dawn of ecumenism” in the early years of the 20th century”: that’s how Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, presented Pope Leo XIII on inaugurating the celebrations promoted by the diocese of Perugia (Italy) to mark the centenary of the Pope’s death (1903-2003). “Pope Leo XIII said Kasper took practical and concrete steps for the promotion of Christian unity” and right from the beginning of his pontificate “had considered the possibility of a rapprochement with the Orthodox Byzantine Churches”. He always showed a great appreciation for the rites and ecclesiastical constitutions of the Orient and revealed himself an ecumenical pope also in his use of language, avoiding, for example, words like “schismatics” and “heretics”, and preferring to speak of “separated brethren”. Unfortunately, however Cardinal Kasper added the “courageous ecumenical course” he charted appeared “too far-sighted and magnanimous for the prejudices and mentality of his age”. It was not until the mid-20th century that the Catholic Church officially entered the ecumenical movement.
