Pope Notes Significant Progress in Dialogue with Orthodox

Benedict XVI met with the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Rome for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. He affirmed his hopes for continuation on the path undertaken in ongoing work of the Joint Commission that is addressing the crucial topic of the 'Role of the Bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church during the first millennium'.

VATICAN CITY (AsiaNews) - Relations between Catholics and Orthodox are " characterized by sentiments of mutual trust, esteem and fraternity", an essential foundation for dialogue to reach "significant progress". In meeting with the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in Rome on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Benedict XVI reaffirmed the importance that the Catholic Church gives to the work of the Joint Commission for Dialogue and the trust that he places in the fruits of said commitment. Addressing the Patriarchate's delegation the Holy Father highlighted how the two churches celebrate the two apostles on the same day, which "testifies to a time when our communities were living in full communion with one another".  "Your presence here - he added- brings great gladness to the hearts of us all". Benedict XVI, then referring to the role of Gennadios co-secretary of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic and the Orthodox Church as a whole, stressed that having begun last October in Paphos to discuss the "The Role of the Bishop of Rome in the Communion of the Church in the First Millennium" He noted With all our hearts we pray that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, the Members of the Commission will continue along this path during the forthcoming plenary session in Vienna". The Pope also touched on the issue of Christians in the Middle East, saying " I am certain that the theme of ecumenical cooperation between the Christians of that region will receive great attention Indeed, it is highlighted in the Instrumentum laboris, which I consigned to the Catholic Bishops of the Middle East during my recent visit to Cyprus, where I was received with great fraternal warmth by His Beatitude Chrysostomos II". "The difficulties that the Christians of the Middle East are experiencing are in large measure common to all: living as a minority, and yearning for authentic religious freedom and for peace.  Dialogue is needed with the Islamic and Jewish communities. "