ECUMENISM
Moscow-Rome: Patriarch Kirill to the Pope"A fruitful development" of relations between the Catholic Church of Rome and the Russian Orthodox Church. This is what the Patriarch Kirill wrote in a message sent to Benedict XVI thanking him for the congratulatory Note transmitted on the occasion of his election as Patriarch of Moscow and of All Russia. “Among the many duties of the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, one of them is the fundamental necessity of giving witness to and affirming the values of the Gospel of Christ in modern society,” the Patriarch wrote in the Message. "I am convinced that to this should contribute the dialogue and cooperation of all those who call themselves Christian", he added. The Patriarch assured to the Pope that the Russian Orthodox Church "shall remain open to cooperation with those who are declared followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and maintain a traditional vision of the contents of the message that Christians are called to transmit to the contemporary world”. Among the collaborators in this realm "the Catholic Church of Rome occupies a special place", he acknowledged. While "a special place in the joint efforts of Christians for the achievement of the above-mentioned goals, is occupied by you, Your Holiness" he added addressing himself directly to the Pope. "I hope in the fruitful development of relations between our Churches", he concluded. Kirill wished Benedict XVI “peace, health and God’s help in his work,” signing the note “with affection in the Lord”. Kirill, in the world Vladimir Gundiaiev, was elected Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church past January 27. He succeeds Alexis II, who died December 5 2008. He was enthroned on February 1. CCEE/CEC: joint Committee meetingThe European Bishops’ Conferences and Europe’s Christian Churches jointly addressed issues pertaining to environment, the state of ecumenism and relations with Muslims, along with an overview of joint projects. This is a snapshot of the autumn meeting of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) that will be held in Esztergom, Hungary, on February 19-22. The Committee states a joint note issued today is tasked with supervising cooperation between CEC and the CCEE. It consists of seven members appointed by the CEC and by seven members appointed by the CCEE. The agenda envisages panel discussion regarding the Churches and Bishops’ Conferences activities, experiences and projects regarding the environment and the situation of ecumenism in contemporary Europe along with CCEE and CEC cooperation. Participants will equally examine activities regarding relations with Muslims in Europe promoted by the CCEE-CEC Committee and a number of joint projects undertaken after the Third European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu. The program also envisages the presentation of CEC’s report on its 13th Assembly on the theme "Called to One Hope in Christ", scheduled in Lyon July 15-21. CEC and CCEE Presidents Jean-Arnold de Clermont and Card. Péter Erdõ attended the Meeting. CEC: the presidium addresses the "Estonian" knotThe Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) addressed the issue of the "Estonian" knot during the meeting in Durres Albania, on February 8-10 on the invitation of CEC’s Vice-President, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana. Indeed, the fact that the Orthodox Church of Estonia, tied to the Patriarch of Moscow, was denied CEC membership, led the Patriarchate of Moscow to decide to suspend its participation in the European body. While waiting for a definitive decision, during the meeting in Durres the CEC Presidium attendants conveyed the hope that Lyon’s Assembly will be attended by the delegations of the two Orthodox Churches of Estonia tied to the Patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople. "Church CEC Membership requires a long and complex procedure", Luca Negro said that the CEC sent a Letter on this matter to Patriarch Kirill explaining that there is "no preclusion". The 10 Presidium members equally examined the details of the works for the CEC Assembly that will be held in Lyon July 15-21 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Conference of European Churches, states the Note. "The Assembly will focus on the future developments of ecumenism in Europe and the role that the CEC is called to play in this area", declared CEC President Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont.
