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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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Istanbul & Fairfax, VA - 18 May 2007 - At the opening session of the Second Orientale Lumen EuroEast Conference held last week in Istanbul, His All Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople, welcomed and addressed clergy and laity from several Orthodox and Catholic Churches, gathered from two continents and eight countries.
The Orientale Lumen Conference is a lay-organized and run ecumenical movement working to achieve unity among the historic Christian churches that became divided in the year 1054. It is the only such movement to have the blessing and support of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic patriarchs and bishops.
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The Act of Canonical Communion is Signed and the First Joint Celebration of Divine Liturgy by the Primates of the Two Parts of the Russian Orthodox Church Takes Place in Christ the Savior Cathedral
MOSCOW: May 17, 2007 - On May 17, 2007, the day of the Ascension of the Lord, the Act of Canonical Communion between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate was signed. The ceremony of the reestablishment of the fullness of communion within one Local Russian Orthodox Church was attended by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, along with other government officials.
From early morning, a multitude of Orthodox Christians of Moscow and pilgrims of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia began streaming to the church.
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Jerusalem (AsiaNews) 2007-May-18 – Threats by Jordan’s government to depose the current Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, after barley two years, opens a new chapter in the ongoing saga of corruption between Theophilus III and his predecessor Ireneus I. An export on the Holy Land explains this latest political twist and the effects it is having on the local Greek-Orthodox community to AsiaNews.
The Central Orthodox Council of Jordan and Palestine claimed in a statement released May 17th last that the Patriarch “had committed himself from the outset of his election to do all that was necessary to regain the lands sold to Israeli speculators by his predecessor for the good of the Orthodox Church”.
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18.05.2007, [11:33] // UAOC // RISU.ORG.UA
Ivano-Frankivsk – Metropolitan Andrii (Abramchuk) of western Ukrainian Halych of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) confirmed his participation in the unification process of Orthodoxy in Ukraine and refuted all allegations concerning his adherence to the Moscow Patriarchate. vezha.com.ua posted the news on 15 May 2007.
The metropolitan believes that first all Orthodox branches will get involved in the process and later the Greek Catholics will. He said the Orthodox church can be full-fledged only when it is united; only in that case will it have influence on social life. And, as a result, he added, the denominations will not have any reasons for hostility. Moreover, the Ivano-Frankivsk Eparchy of the UAOC suggested that the patriarch should be elected in the future by casting lots.
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VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2007 (VIS) - Yesterday in New York, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, delivered a talk during the 6th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples of the Commission for Social Development of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The theme of the meeting was: "Territories, lands and natural resources."
Speaking English, Archbishop Migliore expressed the Holy See's disappointment at "the postponement of the adoption of the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)."
The Holy See delegation, the archbishop continued, "would like to draw attention to the benefits which the existence of such a human rights instrument would entail especially for the very poorest living in rural areas, often of indigenous origin and often marginalized by the modern world, and those who could be empowered to contribute much more to the political and economic life where they live.
"Various objections have been raised against the draft declaration as it currently stands," he added. "Some say that the DRIP contradicts national constitutions and that self-determination only concerns those who used to live under colonial rule. Others suggest that the DRIP is unclear on what constitutes 'indigenous people'."
Yet, "the Holy See wishes to reiterate the particular importance it attaches to the instrument. ... Such a political gesture would not only profit the poorest and most excluded citizens in both rich and poor countries of the world, but would also enhance peace among peoples and foster the just and equitable enjoyment of human rights by all."
"States have legitimate concerns regarding sovereignty, citizenship, equality and the sane and equitable exploitation of natural resources," the archbishop concluded, "but these questions should not allow progress on indigenous peoples' equally legitimate rights and concerns to be postponed 'sine die'."
DELSS/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/UN:MIGLIOREVIS 070518 (310)
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VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, before his return to the Vatican scheduled for 5 p.m., the Pope received prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Mali who have just complete their "ad limina" visit.
The Pope called upon the bishops to be "zealous pastors who, as men of faith, guide the people of God with trust and courage, remaining close to everyone so as to engender hope, even in the most difficult situations."
After highlighting how priests "cooperate generously in the apostolic mission and often live in difficult human and spiritual situations," the Holy Father affirmed the need for them "to live out their priestly identity and commit themselves totally to the Lord in the disinterested service of their brothers and sisters, without losing heart before the difficulties they have to face."
Contemplative and sacramental life, said Benedict XVI, "is a real pastoral priority, which will help priests to respond decisively to the call to sanctity they received from the Lord and to their mission to guide the faithful on that same journey."
Referring to candidates to the priesthood, the Pope recalled the importance of human formation "which is the base of priestly formation," he said. In this context, he indicated how "particular attention to candidates' emotional maturity will help them to respond freely to a life of celibacy and chastity, a precious gift of God, and to maintain a firm and stable conscience throughout their lives."
"There is an urgent need for the lay faithful to commit to the service of reconciliation, justice and peace," he went on. "The laity must acquire a renewed awareness of their special mission within the one mission of the Church, and of the spiritual requirements this brings with it."
The Pope emphasized the need to form "competent lay men and women to serve the common good", making them capable "of facing the daily challenges of the political economic, social and cultural fields."
The Holy Father also recalled religious and lay communities and the service they provide to the Church "through their educational work in favor of the young generations, their care for those who suffer, and their charitable work in general."
Speaking of the bishops' own concern for the pastoral care of marriage, Benedict XVI said that "in responding to the fear often expressed about the definitive nature of marriage, solid preparation and the collaboration of lay people and experts will enable Christian couples to be faithful to their marriage vows."
Finally, the Pope expressed his satisfaction at the cordial relations that exist between the Catholic faithful of Mali and their Muslim compatriots. "It is legitimate," he said, "for each community to express its identity visibly, while maintaining mutual respect, recognizing the religious diversity of the national community and favoring peaceful coexistence at all levels of society. In this way it is possible to advance together, jointly committed to justice, harmony and peace."
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