Russia: No Orthodox, Catholic Meeting Yet

[Adsos Letter]

Source: beliefnetnews

MOSCOW - A top Russian Orthodox official signaled that a meeting between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Benedict XVI is not likely to happen soon, a news agencies reported Friday.

The comments from Bishop Ilarion, the Russian church's envoy to European organizations, are the latest indication that the centuries-old distrust between the two denominations remains difficult to dispel.

Kirill's ascension to the patriarchy earlier this month following the death of the church's first post-Soviet leader, Alexy II, had sparked some hope that the two churches might reconcile - a longtime goal of the late Pope John Paul II.

Relations are strained by Russian accusations that the Vatican tries to convert Orthodox believers, something the Roman Catholic church denies. The two have also had disputes over property and influence in Ukraine, where both have large flocks.

Ilarion was quoted as saying that a meeting between the two church leaders had always been possible, but he accused the Vatican of continuing to proselytize in countries the Russian church considers historically Orthodox.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2009/02/russia-no-orthodox-catholic-me.php

[Submariner]

1. Pope Benny the Rat and his boys are up to their eyeballs

in an international child rape scandal. Millions of collection plate dollars are being paid out in court settlements as hush money to the rape victims and their families. Benny would be well advised to STFU and stay under the radar for the next century or so. If I was the Russian church I wouldn't want to be partnered with the Vatican freak show either.