CCEE: Cardinal Erdö and Bartholomew I

“A genuine theological revival is taking place in the Orthodox world and the need is felt to raise the level of theological formation. I hope the Orthodox Churches may find ways of developing their intensive pastoral care in mutual cooperation with the Catholic Church, and in the exchange of experiences and know-how for the success of our common mission”, said Cardinal Péter Erdo, Archbishop of Budapest and President of the CCEE (Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe), in commenting on his meeting with Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The cardinal was the guest of the Patriarch in recent days. The main purpose of the visit was to review prospects for closer relations between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The two religious leaders also discussed the question of Christian values in Europe, and how to defend and promote them in an effective way. “With the Orthodox world – added Cardinal Erdo – there is consensus on questions regarding man, life and natural law”. The archbishop of Budapest also reported to Bartholomew I on the experience of the evangelization in European capitals, the so-called “metropolitan mission”, whose latest stage, after Paris, Vienna, Lisbon and Brussels, is due to be held in Budapest in the autumn.