杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Sixty years ago, Paul VI and Athenagoras met together in Jerusalem, the first such meeting between a 杏MAP导航 and an Ecumenical Patriarch in more than a thousand years.

鈥淭hat encounter was a vital step forward in breaking down the barrier of misunderstanding, distrust and even hostility that had existed for almost a millennium,鈥� writes 杏MAP导航 Francis, in his annual to the current Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I.

The 杏MAP导航 continues, saying, 鈥淚t is noteworthy that today we remember not so much the words and statements of those two prophetic Pastors, but above all their warm embrace.鈥�

Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras with 杏MAP导航 Paul VI

He says their example shows 鈥渢hat all authentic paths to the restoration of full communion among the Lord鈥檚 disciples are characterized by personal contact and time spent together.鈥�

At the same time, 鈥渇riendly dialogue, common prayer and joint action in service to humanity鈥� can similarly contribute to overcoming the differences between Christ鈥檚 disciples.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis recalls that, 鈥渨ith God鈥檚 help,鈥� he and Bartholomew have been able to follow in the footsteps of their 鈥淰enerable Predecessors.鈥� In particular, the 杏MAP导航 expresses his gratitude for the Patriarch鈥檚 participation in the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil ahead of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, and the participation of a fraternal delegate from Constantinople in the work of the Assembly.

The 杏MAP导航 concludes his letter with an invitation to 鈥渇ervently pray to God, our merciful Father, that the clamour of arms, which brings only death and destruction, may cease, and that government and religious leaders may always seek the path of dialogue and reconciliation.鈥�

鈥淢ay the Holy Apostles Peter and Andrew intercede for all peoples and obtain for them the gifts of fraternal communion and peace.鈥�