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Russia and the Holy See: a new aspect in diplomatic dialogue |
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Published by Interfax News Agency (Russia)
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Friday, 16 March 2007 |
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Russia and the Holy See: a new aspect in diplomatic dialogue “…The upcoming meeting between Russian president and the pope falls upon a stable period in relations between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church, which has continued for almost a year. Restrained and diplomatically-cold, sometimes icy, notes and proselytism reproaches, which echoed when Moscow Patriarchate touched most themes linked with the Vatican, gave way to common statements about the need to jointly oppose secular European liberalism, which had already succeeded in stealing some Holy See’s faithful in Western countries. The two churches discovered a ground for common social and ethical projects, which had been hardly possible under the Soviet regime and also during the next decade marked by the ‘difficulties of Orthodox-Catholic understanding.’ Realizing this possibility, provided both sides are diplomatic and considering enough, gives ‘the first’ and ‘the third’ Romes a unique chance to pursue the ecumenical movement and to secure a future for traditional values in Eurasia. And the president of Russia’s visit ad limina may be very helpful to achieve this goal.”
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Russia