OPPOSITION TO ECUMENISM IS "DIABOLICAL" IMPULSE—PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
He criticized RPTsMP for promoting political interests of Russian federation
Portal-credo.ru, 9 September 2015
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, addressing the bishops of his church on 29 August, emphasized the importance of ecumenical communications with Rome and subjected the position of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow patriarchate to criticism., CWN reports.
The ecumenical patriarch, who among the churches of "world Orthodoxy" is recognized as "first among equals," emphasized the importance of ecumenism and again repeated that his tasks include "defense of the unity of the whole Orthodox Church." He said that opposition to ecumenical unity is a "diabolical" impulse.
Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that support for contacts with the Holy See is the most important part of ecumenical activity. He expressed enthusiasm regarding the Pan-Orthodox Sobor planned for 2016, but he acknowledged that it is impossible to call it ecumenical, "because western Christians are not invited in the capacity of participants."
The ecumenical patriarch, who in recent years have often had disagreements with the Moscow patriarchate, in his speech criticized Orthodox churches that "maintain close relations with the government of their country and enjoy rich financial support," while advancing the political interests of their nation. (tr. by PDS, posted 9 September 2015)
Editorial disclaimer: RRN does
not intend to certify the accuracy of information
presented in articles. RRN simply intends to certify the
accuracy of the English translation of the contents of the
articles as they appeared in news media of countries of
the former USSR.
If material is quoted, please give credit to the
publication from which it came. It is not necessary to credit
this Web page. If material is transmitted electronically, please
include reference to the URL,
http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/.