At cardinals' meeting, pope praised for promoting ecumenism, family

Published: 2003-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Calling Pope John Paul II a "pilgrim of ecumenism," the head of the Maronite Catholic Church credited the pope with ensuring tremendous progress in the search for Christian unity. Lebanese Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Church, spoke at the Oct. 17 meeting of the world's cardinals and presidents of national bishops' conferences celebrating the pope's 25th anniversary. Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, also spoke Oct. 17, highlighting the pope's role as a champion of the traditional family. In his presentation, Cardinal Sfeir said, "Ecumenism is an integral part of the daily ministry of John Paul II."

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