ECUMENISM
Italy: the Church of Saint Nicholas from Bari to MoscowPast April 29 the deed transferring the property of the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas in Bari to the Italian government and then to the Russian Federation to Moscow’s Patriarchate was officially ratified. The deed was signed by the mayor of the Italian city Michele Emiliano and the general director of public properties Elisabetta Spitz. The transfer of the religious complex had been agreed during a summit held in Bari in March 2007. Past 22 November, during an official visit of the then Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Moscow, an intergovernmental statement established Italy’s commitment to hand over the property to Moscow’s Orthodox Church. In exchange, the municipality of Bari received the “Rossani” barracks and 13 million euro for its renovation. The news of the estate transfer to the Orthodox Church rapidly spread throughout all of Russia. For the faithful of the Church of Moscow, chaired by His Beatitude Patriarch Alexis II, to own a church in the city of Saint Nicholas has a profound religious and symbolical value. The deed was presented during a press conference by father Vladimir Kuchumov, from Moscow’s patriarchate, and by Mayor Emiliano, who explained the religious significance of this act. “When in 1984 Pope John Paul II visited Bari – he recalled – he said the city, which is home to the relics of Saint Nicholas, could play a major role in resuming the dialogue between Christian churches. In May 2006 on the occasion of the Eucharistic Congress held in Bari, upon his landing, Pope Benedict XVI pronounced the sentence “felice Bari”: a reference to traditional orthodox chants”. France: solidarity with Christians in AlgeriaOn May 1-4 the X National Synod of France’s Reformed Church was held in Toulouse. The event was attended by 250 delegates, religious and lay people. A message of solidarity with Christians living in Algeria was read during the meeting. “The Synod is concerned about the situation of your Church after the decision to close the places of worship and the prohibition to witness the Gospel in public. This difficult situation cannot fall into oblivion”, states the Note. The Synod announced its commitment to strengthen aid and spiritual support between the Reformed Church in France and the Churches of Algeria. It will equally “present the cause to French authorities through the Protestant Federation of France requesting the resumption of the dialogue with Algerian authorities as relates to religious freedom in the Country”. Bartolomew I: new complaint to Turkey’s government During a recent address to pilgrims from Kilkis (Greece) Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, reiterated the many problems caused by the Turkish government. “Turkey’s European perspectives revived our hopes in a better future. However, until today no concrete steps were made”, he declared. “The school of Chalki wasn’t reopened while our communities’ goods, foundations and churches haven’t been regulated yet and remain hanging problems despite the enactment of a law on religious property. However, we continue hoping for the best.” As relates to Turkey’s position in Europe, His Beatitude declared: “Europe constantly reminds Turkey of its obligation to respect the rights of minorities, religious freedoms and human rights”. Moscow: Alexis II meets Msgr. KothgasserPast April 27, Easter Sunday for the Orthodox faithful, Patriarch Alexis II received a delegation from the Catholic diocese of Salzburg (Austria) led by Reverend archbishop Msgr. Alois Kothgasser in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral. During the meeting His Beatitude Alexis II highlighted Austria’s good relations between the Catholic Church and the diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. “We are grateful to the representatives of the Roman Catholic Church for their solicitude towards the faithful living in Austria and for the support they are given”. “We follow with great attention the development of friendly relations with the Catholic archdiocese of Salzburg not only for the cultural and historical significance of your city, but especially because the time has come to step up Orthodox-Catholic cooperation.” Archbishop Kothgasser eulogized the Christian contribution throughout the centuries marked also by the martyrdom of the Russian Orthodox Church, and invited the Patriarch to Salzburg.
