Pope's delegation to ecumenical patriarch brings words of comfort

Published: 2003-12-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II's annual delegation to the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox churches, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, brought words of comfort for recent terrorist attacks in Turkey. Visiting the patriarch at his headquarters in Istanbul Nov. 30, Cardinal Walter Kasper delivered a papal message that urged Catholics and Orthodox to show a "communion of purpose" when it comes to restoring Christian unity. Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, headed the delegation to mark the feast of the ecumenical patriarchate's patron saint, Andrew the Apostle. Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Christian unity council, said the Vatican officials were sensitive to the suffering of people in Turkey after a string of recent terrorist attacks against synagogues and foreign targets. The bombings left nearly 50 people dead and hundreds injured, including foreigners and Turkish citizens.

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