The same altar

Pope Francis has been the major “novelty” of 2013. Also “from the ecumenical angle his pontificate immediately began beautifully. At the inauguration ceremony all Church representatives were present, including the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and it was the first time in history that a Patriarch was present for the inauguration of a new pontificate.” Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity told Maria Chiara Biagioni, for SIR Europe, that this year’s ecumenical balance gained an outstanding “plus” mark. “As relates to content – the cardinal added – I see a great continuity between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, as both have a big heart to embrace ecumenism.” As relates to content, in the apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” Pope Francis addresses important themes such as collegiality and the primacy of the pope. How have these openings been received? “The reactions to the apostolic Exhortation by representatives of other Churches are noteworthy. They were touched, and they appreciated the fact that the Exhortation conveys a common vision. The paragraph on ecumenical dialogue emphasizes that Catholics can learn from other Churches. The Holy Father mentions as an example of synodality the Orthodox Church. During my recent visit, the Patriarch of Moscow mentioned exactly this point.” 50 years ago the embrace of Paul VI and Patriarch Atenagora was seen as the beginning of a new story. What happened after then? “It was a big event. The heads of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches met after a thousand years of separation in Jerusalem. The encounter triggered another major event: it put an end to the excommunication expressed in a joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration of the two Churches in the cathedral of Fanar, Constantinople and St. Peter’s in Rome in 1965. The era of excommunication ended and the era of communion began. From that perspective the meeting in Jerusalem placed the cornerstone of a dialogue of charity and Christian truth.” To commemorate the event, the Pope and Patriarch Bartholomew will meet in Jerusalem on May 25. What is expected from the meeting? “First of all it represents an act of commemoration of the past 50 years and I hope that the meeting will lead to the recovery of the yearning for unity present at the time of Paul VI and Athenagora. The documents in the Tomos Agapis highlight the passion for unity. Athenagora says: ‘the time has come.’ It’s the time to come together around the same altar. That yearning to recover ecclesial and Eucharistic communion ought to be further developed and revived.” Will there be a joint statement?”The content of the statement will be discussed by Pope Francis and by the Patriarch, to identify a joint declaration to the world and to the Church. The encounter is a step of the journey to be undertaken in the future.” You have met Patriarch Kyrill. Did you also discuss the possibility of a meeting with the Pope?  “Indeed, we spoke about the possibility of an encounter between the Holy Father and Patriarch Kyrill, but metropolitan Hilarion has always pointed out that more than the date is important the preparation, as it would be the first time in the history of Moscow-Rome relations that a Patriarch of the Orthodox Church and the Pope in Rome meet. It is therefore necessary to discuss what to do and to say, which is part of a preparatory phase.” Moscow, Constantinople, Rome. I belong to Paul. I belong to Peter. The theme of the upcoming Week of Prayer for Christian unity (January 18-25) is “Christ cannot be divided.” What step forward is demanded of the single Churches? “I think it is necessary to acknowledge that Christ cannot be divided. The foundation of ecumenical commitment is the priestly prayer of Jesus which says that the unity between the disciples of Christ is the will of the Lord and all of us who come from Paul, Peter and Andrew have the task and the responsibility to listen to the will of Jesus and recover that unity. Paul Peter and Andrew certainly were different people, with different charismas. But all were friends of Christ.” Isn’t it a paradox that the primacy of the Pope is a spark of division? “Paul VI said that the question of primacy is the greatest obstacle to ecumenism. But that is just as aspect of the issue. In fact, primacy is a major opportunity for ecumenism. Take for example the three meetings in Assisi called by John Paul II and Benedict XVI: who else could have invited all the Churches and the other religions if not the Pope of Rome? In his book ‘Crossing the threshold of hope’ John Paul II wrote that Paul’s ministry is a ministry of unity with a deep message of ecumenism. After the Second Vatican Council all Popes, from Paul VI to Francis, were ecumenical Popes that longed for unity, in this sense their primacy not only is an obstacle but also a bridge for ecumenism.”