An acceleration of the ecumenical movement towards "full ecclesiastic and sacramental communion between the Churches", dialogue between the Churches and the Christian communities, in the awareness that, "without dialogue, it is impossible to reach the longed-for final end of reconciliation, communion and unity between Christians". These are the words uttered last night by Bartholomew, the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, at the prayer which opened the third European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu. "Sincere and objective" dialogue between Christians is a prerequisite "to decisively contribute to the strengthening of reconciliation and communion, even between the European peoples, promoting the creation of a New Europe". The foundations of this future reality, added the patriarch, "cannot be only limited to economic and political, or cultural and national, dimensions. That’s why to the best of our abilities and as fully convinced Christians we support and offer our contribution to the creation of a human and social Europe, enlightened by the eternal and inexhaustible Light of Christ, in which human rights and the fundamental values of pace, justice, freedom, tolerance, participation and mutual support may prevail".
