Benedict XVI Ratzinger, the Pope of Rome (1927- )
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Benedict XVI Ratzinger, the Pope of Rome, places great hopes in the dialogue with the Orthodox Church and thinks that it’s possible for him to meet with Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias. Benedict said this in an interview with the well-known German journalist Peter Seewald. It’s included in a recently-released book entitled, The Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times. Among other things, Herr Seewald asked the pope about a possible meeting between him and Patriarch Kirill. “It depends on how many years of life God will give me, but I hope so”, Benedict replied. In his view, the concert in Rome in honour of the fifth anniversary of his installation as Pope of Rome was a “wonderful gesture” from Patriarch Kirill, with the participation of Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, who is himself a composer (sic), with the presentation of a piece written by the Metropolitan.
Benedict went on to say, “So, there are numerous contacts. However, for an event of this magnitude, it’s necessary that the Orthodox community in Russia is prepared for it”, he recognised that many in Russia still fear the Catholic Church, “so, there must be patience, we mustn’t do anything hastily. In any case, both sides have the will to ensure that the meeting will take place, and the context in which it could be carried out is becoming more favourable”. In reply to a direct question from Herr Seewald, “So, a meeting between Rome and Moscow in the near future is possible?” he said, “I would say, yes”.
Talking about the inter-Christian relations of the Catholic Church, Benedict believed that the dialogue with the Orthodox Church was “the most encouraging”. At the same time, he expressed special gratitude to Patriarch Kirill, “for providing these signs of friendship and understanding”. He called to mind the meeting between them that took immediately after the papal conclave, “He wasn’t yet the Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias; he was the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, a kind of Minister of Foreign Affairs. We immediately understood each other. Patriarch Kirill has an inner joy; his faith is that of simple people, he embodied, if I may say so, the simplicity of the Russian soul, and, at the same time, its characteristic determination and sincerity. All the same, there was a mutual understanding between us”.
According to the pope, “It’s very important that world Orthodoxy, despite all its internal problems, should see its profound unity with the Latin Church, which is also spread throughout the world. Thus, we can ensure that, despite all the differences that have arisen over the centuries because of cultural and other divisions, Catholics and Orthodox Christians could approach one another and understand each other with a deep spiritual affinity”. Benedict believed that he saw positive developments in this area, “not of a progress merely on tactical or political points, but a convergence that comes from facing each other on a basic level”.
Benedict believed that a rapprochement between Orthodox and Catholics would be of great importance for “the future of world history, because such a concord would manifest our shared responsibility for the fate of the world. We can argue endlessly on various disputes. Or, on the assumption that we have something in common, we can assume a joint service. Our dialogue clearly demonstrated that the world needs a motivated, spiritually rooted, and reasonable witness of the One God who speaks to us in Christ. Therefore, it is very important to be together”. That being said, Pope Benedict and Patriarch Kirill agree in regards to important ethical issues. Benedict emphasised, “We’re not moralists. However, through our faith, we become bearers of moral promise, which serves as a reference for people. In the crisis that now faces mankind, it’s very important to do this together”.
3 February 2011
Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=39363
Editor’s Note:
Well… this is pleasant… this is flowery… it’s full of honeyed words. Substance? There’s not a bit of it. It’s very nice GIGO… from start to finish. Actually, it means that Benedict has hit a brick wall. Hmm… it sounds like there’s some denizens of the Curia who refuse to face reality. In a word… GALICIA. The Curia isn’t going to back down on the Uniates… and a meeting can only take place after the Uniates are brought to heel. That’s not going to happen, ergo, there’s going to be no meeting between the Pope of Rome and Patriarch Kirill.
Do you remember the picture that I posted today of the bishops at the Archpastoral Council? Who was sitting next to His Nibs? Vladimir Markiyanovich Sabodan… that’s who. That’s why there’s not going to be any meeting with the Pope of Rome in the near future (or the far future, either). Benedict is going to pay in full for the CIA-fomented activities of the Galician Uniates. It doesn’t matter that he had no hand in it… in this crank fallen world, you don’t have to be involved in something to get covered in shit anyway… all adults know this.
Look for the usual rubbishy cheerleading from Zenit and Asia News… this was ho hum copy (but I had to do it… it’s the news, after all)… the Blunder will go to Rome and speak sweet nothings to Benedict. Give that canny old Kraut credit… he won’t believe a word of it. Oh, he’ll smile… he’ll say vacuous and innocuous pleasantries in return. After the Blunder leaves, Benedict will knock back a jigger of schnapps, clear his throat, and say, “Why did I EVER get talked into taking this crazy job?”
I think that’s another thing where both he and His Nibs are in hearty and complete agreement…
BMD
Voices from Russia 
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