Code: ZE03020605
Date: 2003-02-06
Pope Proposes to Serbian Orthodox an Alliance for Peace
Calls for Fostering of European Christian Identity
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 6, 2003 (Zenit.org).-
John Paul II proposed to Serbian Orthodox that they promote peace initiatives
together with Catholics in order to avoid another 1990s-style Balkans bloodbath.
The Pope made this proposal today to a delegation of the Serbian
Orthodox Patriarchate, headed by Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro, who was
sent to the Vatican by Patriarch Pavle of Belgrade, to promote ecumenical
relations with the Catholic Church.
"The Churches have the task to act
according to the model of the Good Samaritan," the Pope said. "They must forget
their common sufferings, heal the wounds, and promote that purification of the
memory from which will arise sincere forgiveness and fraternal collaboration."
In the wake of the Balkans conflict, the Holy Father highlighted the
challenge of integration in the new Europe that awaits Serbian Orthodox, and
acknowledged the contribution of the Orthodox Church in forging the Christian
soul of the continent.
"The Christian identity of Europe, shaped at its
roots by the two traditions, Western and Eastern, seems at times to be called
into question," John Paul II continued.
"This should lead us to seek and
promote every type of cooperation that will allow Orthodox and Catholics to give
together a living and convincing witness of their common tradition," he said.
To achieve this, it is not enough that this witness be manifested in the
promotion of "evangelical values like peace, the dignity of the person, the
defense of life and of justice in today's society."
Rather, it also
calls for "rapprochement and consolidation of that fraternity that should
characterize ecclesial relations between Catholics and Orthodox," the Holy
Father concluded.
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