Christianity
Comment: In Havana, Church history written
The message came even for experts, surprisingly. The first Meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow since the Kirchenspaltung of 1054 is far more than a courtesy visit, says Christoph Strack.
A piece of Church history, as a Surprise announced. It is not often that the Vatican spokesman Lombardi kurzfristigst to a press conference invites, and then in the full press room with a Statement in six languages present. Just because the news is a real news and world reported: In a few days it comes for the first time ever to a meeting of the Roman Catholic Pope with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch. Francis and Cyril want to be at the airport in Havana is the four-eyes talking to each other and then a joint Declaration to be signed. “The Holy see and the Moscow Patriarchate to hope that this is a sign of hope for all people of good will.” What a set.
That is – the term is really appropriate – is a Sensation. Not only for religious Foodies who have a penchant for Ecumenism. No, it is one of those moments in which Kirchenspitzen write history. Repeatedly had Francis indicated, to a Meeting with Cyril at any place to be ready – now is it so Havana. Cyril is the last few days in Cuba as a guest, Francis interrupts his flight to Mexico.
More than a polite encounter
Currently, there is Moscow, especially politically, but also ecclesiastically, for a distancing from much of what is Western or westchristlicher point of view. And many in the West look with concern on a course of growing Staatsnähe of Russian Orthodoxy. The more surprising is now the Meeting in Cuba. And this encounter will be due to signing the official document, not just a polite encounter. In politically difficult times, it is always also a Signal to the Russian policy.
Christoph Strack is Kirchenexperte the DW
What is remarkable about the Vatican’s communication, at the same time in Moscow was announced, is also the Surprise element of this Freitagmittags. That it is in the Vatican apparatus leaks were, and indeed still are, a variety of Vatileaks-Soaps of the previous years shown. And, of course, there is also a politicized Russian Orthodoxy people, not with the same sympathy on the encounter with the distant brother in Rome, take a look. And yet the silent diplomacy works. That speaks for both sides and their seriousness. And you realize, that the Vatican diplomacy under the British Archbishop Paul Gallagher, for the last 15 months in office, to the new age of relevance in action.
For well over 50 years of traveling the popes. The pontificate of John Paul II (1978-2005) was in long phases of a global quest and pilgrimage, often dyed with real trains. Benedict XVI (2005-2013) continued this fort. On the world map of the papal destinations, there are not too many white spots. The really significant are China and Russia. This week, the Vatican is a long Interview of Francis with a Chinese newspaper, the media of the people’s Republic fully received. Now, three days later, following the announcement of the meeting in Havana.
For this year, 2016 is the Vatican so far, not too many papal travel plans confirmed. It would not be surprising if Francis soon Moscow would go. Also as a admonisher to the policy. Finally – just one aspect to the call – advertises Francis on every possible address, and the opportunity for peace in Syria and the protection of the civilian population.
The first Orthodox Council for over 1000 years
However, the Meeting of Havana has yet another important, indeed historical appointment this year, Christians in the Western hemisphere, mostly not on the screen have – wrongly: In June, on Crete, the first Orthodox Synod for more than a thousand years. In January at talks in Geneva for the last hurdles removed. With most of the other representatives of Rome will be a long time in the interview – Cyril and Moscow kept a far distance. Now this is different, and may also have an impact on days in Crete.
The Pope will travel next Friday (12.2.) to Mexico. But now he travels in a new stage of the history of Ecumenism.
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