Tokens of friendship

“Those who use the name of God to hate their neighbour, to undertake acts of violence and to wage war, are cursing God’s name”. These words were pronounced in the appeal for peace which marked the conclusion of the Interreligious Peace Meeting held in Naples -Italy- on October 21-23 by initiative of the Community of Sant’Egidio and of the local Archdiocese. Three days were devoted to an intense exchange of thoughts, views and experiences on the topic: “For a world without violence – cultures and religions in dialogue”. Over 200 representatives of world Churches and religions were present during the meeting, notably, outstanding personalities of the Orthodox Church as well as Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, representatives of the Indian faiths, Shintoists, Oomotos, Tenri Kyo. Seventeenthousand were those registered for the meeting which was divided into 32 round tables on crucial world issues. The 600-seat conference halls were packed full with people of all ages. Next year’s meeting will be held in Cyprus. Saint Egidio’s meeting in Naples was marked by small tokens of friendship between the Christian Churches. Let us review them. HONORARY DEGREE . The ‘ Istituto Orientale’ in Naples conferred an honorary degree in Cultural and Social Relations in the Mediterranean on BARTHOLOMEW I, Patriarch of Constantinople. In his Lectio Magistralis, Patriarch Bartolomew spoke of “the European Union in its relationship with the Orthodox Church as expressed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.” Unity and pluralism should go hand in hand in the respect for “local cultural traditions, as experienced by EU citizens.” The Patriarch affirmed that the future of Europe in centered on these two key-topics: “we believe it isn’t possible to wipe out local cultural heritage in the name of a global cultural tradition, nor should Europe’s unity be jeopardized in the name of local cultural traditions”. Patriarch Bartholomew affirmed that the Orthodox Church follows this direction, and indicated three modes of action. The first is “offering” and “experience” based on the Orthodox view of “the person”. The second is “dialogue with other religions, and in a broader sense, with all men of good will”, the third is the respect for the environment. THE RELIQUARY OF SAINT ANDREW . During a remarkably ecumenical ceremony held in Amalfi, Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, was presented with a reliquary of the Apostle Saint Andrew, the founder of the Church of Constantinople. “It is a gesture which will remain a concrete token of the Pope’s yearning for stronger relations with the Patriarchate”, he said. It holds great meaning to the Orthodox Patriarchate which will place Saint Andrew’s reliquaries in St.George’s Cathedral in Istanbul. A CHURCH TO THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX. “We are very grateful”, “it has been a gesture of love from the Church and from Naples’ inhabitants”, said the spokesman of Moscow’s Orthodox Patriarchate VSEVOLOD CHAPLIN in his remarks on the award of the keys of Saint Mary’s Good Death Church in Naples to Metropolitan bishop Kyrill by Archbishop Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe. Asked to comment the outcome of the interreligious meeting promoted by the Saint Egidio Community and by Naples’ archdiocese, Mr. Chaplin said: “I was deeply impressed by the Pope’s liturgy. It was attended by many personalities also from Russia and especially by so many people who remained standing in the square despite bad weather. They displayed the strength of the faith of a living Church”. “In my travels around the world “- he added- “I witness the yearning for faith of many, a spiritual yearning whereby the faithful want the Churches to collaborate. When observing also other Orthodox Churches, it is evident that all ecclesial authorities are making an effort to strengthen relations.”OPTIMISM . At the conclusion of the meeting, Cardinal WALTER KASPER, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity , said he is optimistic about the future of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. “Our relations have greatly improved.” Cardinal Kasper recalled the meeting held in Ravenna last week “where a very positive dialogue took place” despite the fact that the Russian delegation left the works early for the presence of the Estonian Church delegation. “There is no longer turmoil” between Rome and Moscow, the Cardinal remarked, while problems between Moscow and Constantinople do remain. Cardinal Kasper declared that the “document to be issued on November 15 is a step forward in our mutual relations although the final objectives still need to be achieved.” The absence of the Russian delegation “certainly weakened the outcome of the meeting: a Pan-Orthodox agreement establishes that if a member of the community is absent the other parties should continue. Let us hope the Russians do return, there isn’t much else we can do”.