Mgr Kondrusiewicz applauds Benedict XVI's real commitment to ecumenism. Aleksij II praises the Pope's 'powerful intellect' and their shared vision of today's problems.

Moscow – "It is time to reap, not waste," said Catholic Metropolitan of Moscow Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz in talking about how Benedict XVI' s statement that ecumenism was his pontificate's most urgent priority might bridge the gap between Orthodox and Catholics.

During his first apostolic visit to Bari (southern Italy) on May 29, Pope Benedict XVI reiterated his "desire to work with all my energy to reconstituting the full and visible unity of all Christ's followers."

For the Metropolitan, the Pope's remarks are important because they stress the need for unity between Catholics and Orthodox, because only a 'spiritual transformation" and sincerely "bearing witness together" can Christians bring "new hope" to the world.

Eastern and Western Christians must face the same problems: aggressive secularism, consumerism, religious indifference, relativism, acts against life seen as God's gift. These threats find a fertile ground in today's vulnerable society, especially that of Russia that was weakened by three generations of political atheism. By going back to a common root, all this can be faced and words are finally being translated into concrete deeds.

Kondrusiewicz is confident that, despite its traditional anti-Catholic stance and its charges that the Catholic Church is proselytising in Russia and Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate will respond positively to the Pope's invitation.

For his part, the Patriarch of Moscow Aleksij II said he was open to a visit by Benedict XVI in Russia if the new Pope showed "strength of will, wisdom and tactfulness" vis-à-vis the Russian Orthodox Church and helped resolve outstanding issues.

In a May 30 interview with Russian daily Kommersant, the Patriarch, who prevented the late John Paul II from fulfilling his dream of visiting Russia, praised the new Pontiff for his "powerful intellect" and his steadfast defence of "traditional Christian values".

"The whole Christian world, including the Orthodox world, respects him," he said. Undoubtedly, there are theological differences [between us], but, as far appraising modern society and the dangerous erosion of Christian doctrine and many other modern problems, our points of view are very close."

• russia
• vatican
• ecumenism
• christians
• catholic
• church
• orthodox
• unity