Phanar – to Rome delegates: Your presence is a symbol of striving for unity

On November 30, 2019, during the ceremonies to commemorate the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, whom the Patriarch of Constantinople considers to be its founder, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said addressing the RCC delegation that the presence of Catholic delegates is a symbol of the desire for the full unity of the “fraternal churches”, reports "Romfea".

At the festive Divine Liturgy, the delegation of the Roman Church was represented by Cardinal Kurt Koch, chairman of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

In his speech, the Patriarch of Constantinople expressed satisfaction that the Joint International Committee on Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, which had been working for 40 years, had made significant progress in its discussion.

"An important dimension of the dialogue of love and truth is today considered to be 'just universalism', that is, the utilization of the rules and other canonical provisions of our Churches in seeking agreement at the level of doctrine, which constitutes the centre of our theological dialogue to date," said the Phanar’s head.

He emphasized the importance of “further progress of the theological dialogue between our two fraternal Churches” and stated that “the common canonical tradition of the first millennium functions as the theoretical and practical framework, which complements our long-standing capable dialogue of truth and love, our commitment to always be truthful in love”.

According to him, "canon law is not only a facilitator of the ecumenical dialogue but also a vital dimension of it".

Patriarch Bartholomew reminded that Pope Francis called for a theological Orthodox-Catholic dialogue “on the basis of our common canonical inheritance of the first millennium”.

Patriarch Bartholomew made special mention of the donation of a remnant of the relics of the Apostle Peter to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. “This gift of Pope Francis is a new milestone in bringing it closer to us,” said Patriarch Bartholomew. “The fact that the brothers Peter and Andrew were reunited through their sacred relics urges us to continue with greater emphasis and hope on the path to unity."

Concluding his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch asked Cardinal Koch “to convey the warmest brotherly greetings and thanksgiving of our Moderation to His Holiness Pope Francis” and wished: “May the Almighty and Almighty God, through the blessings of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, bless and strengthen our common efforts to restore complete communion between our two fraternal Churches.”

Then Cardinal Curt Koch read out a message by Pope Romeo Francis expressing his warmest wishes to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the celebration of its patron Saint Andrew and referred to the importance of the official theologian two Churches and the important steps taken during the recent period.

“The quest for the restoration of a full society between Catholics and Orthodox is not only confined to theological dialogue but also through other channels of ecclesiastical life,” he emphasized.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier Pope Francis said he was determined to restore full communion with Constantinople.