Overcoming indifference

Passionate involvement in the encounter and in the dialogue with the other is the challenge Christian Churches are called to face today in Europe to be more incisive in the continent’s cultural debate. This is the view of the Apostolic nuncio to the Russian Federation archbishop Antonio Mennini. SIR Europe interviewed the Nuncio during the 17th International Conference on Orthodox spirituality held at the Monastery of Bose September 9-11 on the theme “Spiritual struggle according to the Orthodox tradition”. Orthodox and Reformation Church theologians and scholars from 21 world countries attended the encounter. Is there a spiritual struggle, a path of conversion that the Churches are called to address in order to achieve communion? “A few years ago, on the occasion of the Week for Christian unity, Msgr. Grab, who at the time was the President of the Bishops Conferences in Europe, said during a homily that communion will be attained only if an increasing number of Orthodox, Anglicans and Catholics realize that Church division causes individual suffering. In this way only will the ecumenical journey and the quest for unity have the power to overcome occasional stases. The spiritual struggle stems from the fact that the person that is near me loves Jesus like I do. Sadly, indifference prevails in many cases, while every so often dialogue is hindered by ideological and cultural prejudice. Prior to Church missionary commitments in the Far East, in Africa and India, it is necessary to learn the local language and mostly, the local traditions. Effort should be put in valuing the positive elements of local realities for Gospel proclamation. Past misunderstandings between Churches were due to the fact that this kind of approach was missing”. It has been said that the public arena grants space for the spiritual struggles caused by contemporary hot issues – primarily the debate on life. This requires the Churches’ joint effort in the cultural realm. What is your opinion?“Christian faith ought to be delved into in the perspective of reception while addressing contemporary questions. In fact, the Orthodox Church is in the front line as relates to the defense of life, from the moment of conception to its natural termination, and genetic engineering. However, it’s necessary to act at the right moment since safeguarding the tradition didn’t bring the Churches to promote the dissemination of intrinsic values. It’s a treasure yet to be disclosed whose contents require accurate analysis”. How is this situation experienced today, especially in the relations with the Russian Church? “There is a new atmosphere, marked by mutual understanding, also owing to the work of the mixed commission set up a few years ago. This understanding extends far beyond tolerance. It’s the yearning to establish a deep communion, which is not limited to formal encounters. Recent cooperation regarded the preparation of religious school-books. At the end of July, during a meeting with the heads of the so-called ‘traditional’ religions, President Medevev conveyed the government’s decision to introduce the teaching of religion as a trial-test to be coordinated not by ecclesiastical staff but by teachers appointed by the Ministry of Education. He reiterated that religion classes are taught on a voluntary basis, meaning that students can choose whether to attend them, in order to prevent discriminations”.How do you view this decision?“It’s extremely important since for centuries Christian faith in Russia was unspoken of. Since the onset faith education was one of Patriarch Kirill’s primary concerns, following the wake of Alexis II. It will be possible to choose between the Orthodox religion, one’s own Church or civic and moral education. The process will require time, since teachers’ formation is needed along with the appropriate school-books. The Orthodox are the most prepared, since they have been engaged in this issue for years, and many Muslim communities in Russia are promoting this option in schools, on a voluntary basis. The Catholic Church’ involvement in this project amounts to one every 2-3 million Russian pupils, however, we gave our availability in drawing up the contents, notably some chapters relating to the relations between Orthodoxy and Catholicism to prevent misunderstandings and the reiteration of earlier approaches. The proposal was received positively, which shows the willingness to cooperate on important themes”.