” “"The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches share an ecclesial heritage that has been passed down since the time of the apostles and the first few centuries of Christianity. This legacy of experience should shape our future, leading our common journey to the reinstatement of a full communion". These are the words said by Benedict XVI today to the members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, received in the Vatican on the occasion of their fourth plenary meeting. "Many among you continued the Pope come from the Middle East. The difficult situation that the individuals and the Christian communities face in the region is a source of deep concern for all of us. The Christian minorities have problems surviving in such an unstable geopolitical scenario and are often tempted to leave their countries". Under these circumstances, "the Christians of all traditions and all communities of the Middle East urged Benedict XVI are called to be brave and remain firm in the power of the spirit of Christ".” “
