CCBI News

Expresses Hope for Greater Mutual Understanding
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 28, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging the ongoing dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox Churches, which is currently focused on historical expressions of communion with the Catholic Church.  The Pope stated this today in an audience with members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. He expressed gratitude for the work that began in 2003 as a joint initiative between Catholic and Orthodox leaders. The first phase of this dialogue, which lasted through 2009, resulted in a joint document, "Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church." This document outlined the shared principles of the Churches and identified issues requiring further discussion.

The Pontiff stated, "We can only be grateful that after almost fifteen hundred years of separation we still find agreement about the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the world." He noted that in this second phase of dialogue the commission is reflecting "from an historical perspective on the ways in which the Churches expressed their communion down the ages." The Holy Father acknowledged, "During the meeting this week you are deepening your study of the communion and communication that existed between the Churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism in the life of the early Church."