Vatican's top ecumenist says he hopes for new opening with Orthodox

Published: 2004-02-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After two years of especially tense relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Vatican's top ecumenist arrived in Moscow telling reporters he hoped to "open a new page, a page of friendship" with the Orthodox. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, arrived in the Russian capital Feb. 17 for meetings with Catholic as well as Orthodox officials. In a Feb. 18 speech in Moscow's Catholic cathedral, the cardinal said, "I do not have any illusions" about the process to bring Catholics and Orthodox closer to full unity. "I know that this is not an easy task. I know the reservations and the prejudices on both sides, the obstacles, the difficulties, the long history of division and everything that has characterized it," he said. "Nevertheless," he told his audience, "even little steps will move us forward: a kind greeting, a gesture of friendship, a smiling face, a prayer asking forgiveness if we have made a mistake, helping another in need -- all of these things can make miracles." The Vatican released the text of the cardinal's address.

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