Mgr Kondrusiewicz: an improved atmosphere with the Orthodox
The Moscow Metropolitan confirms a greater "openness" of the Orthodox Church towards the Vatican; as he prepares for the first pilgrimage of Russian Catholics to Rome after the death of John Paul II, he hopes Benedict XVI will realize Pope Wojtyla's dream.
Moscow (AsiaNews) There is an improved climate with the Orthodox thanks to the Moscow Patriarchate's appreciation of Cardinal Ratzinger's doctrinal positions. Russian Catholics are hoping Benedict XVI will succeed in doing what it was impossible for Pope Wojtyla to achieve. This is what Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of the Mother of God diocese in the Russian capital had to say, on the eve of a pilgrimage which will bring him to Rome next week.
"John Paul II did not manage to come to Moscow and now we will go to him." Speaking to AsiaNews, Mgr Kondrusiewicz summed up thus the spirit motivating Russia's first group of Catholic pilgrims to visit the Vatican since the death of John Paul II. The visit takes place in a more relaxed atmosphere between the two Christian churches, which "gives hope".
The metropolitan, who will lead a group of 40 people, said it was lay people who came up with the initiative: "They persistently asked me to organize the trip, which we did not manage to do in time for the funeral because of logistical timing." The date of the trip is not a coincidence: "I chose 18 May because it's the birthday of John Paul II." The peak of the pilgrimage will be on Wednesday, when the pilgrims will participate in mass at the tomb of St Peter, and later pray at the resting place of the deceased pope. "There is trepidation in the group," says Kondrusiewicz. "We will also be present at the general audience in the Vatican and the faithful will be able to see Benedict XVI for the first time."
Russian Catholics he added like those all around the world, feel the need to thank the new Pope for speeding up the beatification process of his predecessor. "Right after the unexpected news about the start of the canonization process, yesterday in Moscow, dozens and dozens of faithful came to the cathedral to pray and to participate in mass," said the Metropolitan.
On 18 May, a Year in memory of John Paul II will be officially inaugurated in Russian dioceses. "There are a number of activities on our program: a circulating photographic exhibition, conferences and the publication of those books of Pope Wojtyla which have not yet been translated into Russian."
The Metropolitan said there is a strong memory among Catholics who feel a bond with a pope who "did so much for Russia", but whose dream to visit Moscow never materialized because of firm opposition from the national Orthodox Church and its accusations of proselytism. The atmosphere however seems destined to change. "A long and rich pontificate is over," said Kondrusiewicz. "Today the Orthodox Church is much more open to dialogue." The Moscow Metropolitan said he was confident that the "dream of Pope John Paul will come true". His hopes are pinned on the new pontiff; the Orthodox "appreciated his solidity of faith and firm positions in matters of doctrine, as in the centrality of Christ for example, even when he was a cardinal".
This, according to the metropolitan, could be "one of the meeting points" between the two churches. Mgr Kondrusiewicz emphasized that in today's world, all, Catholics and Orthodox, raise awareness of the "need of a shared witness". "Between globalization and existing conflicts, the position of the Christian Church is nearly Shakespearean: 'to be or not to be". To overcome it, there is need of more friendly collaboration, a crucial step towards possible unity." (MA)
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