For nuncio to Russia, Catholic-Orthodox relations saw positive developments under Benedict XVI
Moscow (AsiaNews) - Benedict XVI's pontificate, which was centred on respect for the Christian tradition, has been an important and positive time for Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, this according to Mgr Ivan Jurkovic, apostolic nuncio to Russia, who spoke with Russian news agency Ria Novosti about the pope and his almost eight years in office.
"In the last 100 years, the pontiffs of the Catholic Church have addressed the needs of the Church as well as those of modern society with great sensitivity," he explained. "If we take into account the huge political, economic and social changes that occurred in the 20th century, we can better understand the extent of the challenges faced by that papacy last century."
All these changes have not only led to "a new cultural contest, but they have also led to a radical change in the way we view the world, especially in terms of family life." This process has affected Eastern Europe, but its nations "are still very much devoted to the values and traditions that have been an integral part of their life for centuries."
Interestingly, "These nations have also been willing to fight for the traditional views that the Catholic Church has defended on the international scene." This part of Europe really appreciates the fact that Benedict XVI has placed the defence of Europe's Christian values at the centre of his mission, the nuncio stressed.
For Mgr Jurkovic, the evolution of relations with Orthodox Christians is a sign of this "positive" development, as evinced by a recent article by Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, published by the Osservatore Romano, which was respectful and cordial towards the outgoing pope.
According to Mgr Jurkovic, the new pontiff will certainly be "an extraordinary person." Indeed, "Not only Church but the entire world is waiting for the new pope with great interest. It is obvious that the world will not stop making numerous demands on the pope. We all expect him to be actively involved in the life of humanity. However, he is first and foremost the head of the Church, of the community of believers, and his service is religious and spiritual in nature."
"The pope is above all a gift to the Church who also bears the burdens of the modern world in which the Church is hard-pressed to provide adequate responses to the many difficult questions people raise, such as the suffering caused by injustice and inequality or the absence of peace, or those that are of an ethical and moral nature."
"In this sense, the pope shall have to follow his spiritual vocation, as one might expect, and seek inspiration and consolation in the life of the Church if he wants to continue to be a guide for all."
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