ECUMENISM
Holy See-Russia: Hilarion in RomeAn encounter marked by an optimistic outlook of the relations’ development and of the ecumenical cooperation between the Catholic Church and Moscow’s Patriarchate. This is what emerges from the official statements and declarations ensuing Vatican meetings with Metropolitan Hilarion, neo-President of the Department for External Relations of Moscow’s Patriarchate, during his trip to Rome, culminated on September 18 with the audience with pope Benedict XVI. The deputy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Hilarion, had a meeting with Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. During the meeting, held September 16 -states a Note of the Russian patriarchate – were addressed a series of issues including the activities of theological dialogue promoted by the international mixed Commission (the Commission is due to meet again in Cyprus next month) and the possibilities for Orthodox-Catholic cooperation “to address the challenges of the modern world”. Interviewed by the Vatican Radio Cardinal Kasper described a “new situation between the Catholic Church and Moscow’s patriarchate. We overcame all the tensions of the past years. Our current relations are normal, peaceful and also positive and constructive”. The Orthodox Metropolitan met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, who conveyed the hope – according to the Patriarch’s official statement – to be consulted by the Vatican in case of “activities” carried out by the Catholic Church in Russian Orthodox-majority Countries Church. In the meeting with Cardinal Bertone the Metropolitan bishop addressed once again the cooperation between the two Churches on issues pertaining to public and private ethical code “in order to defend traditional Christian values”. Metropolitan Hilarion delved into the thorny issue of “the ongoing problems between the Orthodox Church and the Greek-Catholics in Ukraine” during his encounter with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches. The Metropolitan bishops -states the communiqué- asked the Holy See to put “all efforts to hasten the resolution of the problem”. He added that the meeting with Cardinal Sandri was marked “by mutual understanding and good will”. The Metropolitan bishop concluded his trip to Rome with a visit to the Saint Egidio Community. “We live is a de-Christianised world”, he declared in that circumstance – “and contemporary society with its consumerism, hedonism, practical materialism and moral relativism represents a serious and difficult challenge to all of us Christians”. “The future of humanity also depends on our response to this challenge”.Austria: a commitment for reconciliation An ecumenical meeting commemorating the deportation of 427 Protestants in Zillertal in 1837, was the opportunity to reiterate the joint commitment for reconciliation on the part of the Catholic and Protestant Churches. The ceremony, held in Zillertal on Septmber 16 was attended by the bishop of Innsbruck Msgr. Manfred Scheuer, who remarked, “It is an unglorious page for Catholics” that is “linked to shame and to the plead of forgiveness”. Msgr. Scheuer and the Evangelical superintendent of the Land Luise Müller, recalled the historical circumstances of the event. “Protestants were viewed as a danger for the Tyrol”, that was traditionally Catholic. They eventually became the object of intolerance and criminalization. As relates to the present, Msgr. Scheuer condemned social impulses that marginalize other citizens making them appear as enemies. “To view with diffidence and contempt other people and other Countries, or including in one’s enemies those who do not align and succumb, is viewed as a weakness”, said Msgr. Scheuer, who called for “mutual respect along with the respect for human dignity. Superintendent Müller suggested that “the dark episode” of 1837 may “not have been overcome completely” to the light “of politicians’ statements on the occasion” of the 200th anniversary of the Tyrol that recurs this year. As relates to relations with the Catholic Church, Müller declared, “Ecumenism is positively experienced by women” and “in some areas there is a positive cooperation with Catholic priests. However”, she added, “backward steps are occasionally made, like the refusal to toll the bells of Catholic Churches during Evangelical funerals and when joint religious classes are rejected”.
