Vatican Cardinal Walter Kasper says that relations with the Russian
Orthodox church have vastly improved, possibly paving the way for a
papal visit to Moscow or a historic meeting between the pope and the
Orthodox patriarch.
Cardinal Walter Kasper told Vatican Radio “we have overcome all the tensions in recent years”, AP reports citing Vatican Radio.
He spoke after meeting with Archbishop Hilarion, head of external
relations for the Moscow patriarch’s office. Hilarion is scheduled to
meet Friday with Pope Benedict XVI.
Kasper said “yes” when asked if a trip to Moscow was a “little bit closer” but said that was not on the agenda for the moment.
More likely was a meeting between Benedict and Patriarch Kirill in another country.
“They are not refusing a meeting with pope: this will probably not
take place in Moscow or Rome but in a third location,” Kasper said.
The previous pontiff, John Paul II, was frustrated in his efforts to
visit Moscow, a trip that would be seen as an important sign that
differences between Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity were
being narrowed.
The Moscow church blocked any visit, accusing the Vatican of
poaching for converts in Russia and other traditionally Orthodox lands
of the former Soviet Union. The Vatican always denied the charge.
Kasper said the two churches plan to resume theological talks soon in Cyprus.
As part of signs of an improving climate, Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev told Italian reporters in July that Moscow wants to improve
its ties with the Vatican.
SOURCE
Vatican sees end to tensions with Russian Orthodox (Associated Press)