New Moscow archbishop pledges to improve cooperation with Orthodox

Published: 2007-10-29

MOSCOW (CNS) -- Russia's new Catholic archbishop has pledged to improve cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church, while rejecting proselytism and helping resolve the country's "pressing problems." "It is notable that the Catholic and Orthodox churches have cooperated in efforts to address the issues of nurturing Christian values on European and global levels," said Italian-born Archbishop Paolo Pezzi of Moscow. "This work is in full keeping with the will and intentions expressed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. First of all, I mean a friendly, valid and substantial dialogue with the Orthodox tradition, which is represented here mainly by the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and is deeply rooted in the Russian society," said the archbishop. "We also need to give close attention to the pressing problems of the modern Russian society," he added. In an Oct. 28 interview with Russia's Interfax news agency, marking his installation as head of the Moscow-based Archdiocese of the Mother of God, Archbishop Pezzi said his work would mark "the continuation, not the beginning" of efforts to improve pastoral care for Catholics and make better use of priests and religious.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .