MOSCOW, MAY 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic archbishop of Moscow has applauded the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church after an 80-year schism.

Interfax reported that Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, said in a letter to Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia: "The bridging of divisions between Christians always means triumph of a love that overcomes everything.

"It is an instance of direct obedience to the commandment of Christ, 'That they may all be one'; it is a good example for all people who are divided, an example not only for Christians, and not only for believers."

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz added: "The healing of the schism and the Eucharistic reunification of Orthodox Christians will have a deep peacemaking effect on the entire Russian society, on the hearts and minds of our compatriots living both in Russia and outside of it."

The archbishop also said that the agreement, reuniting the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and the New York-based Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, is a sign of hope for further dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Church.

Code: ZE07052416

Date: 2007-05-24