VATICAN - Cardinal Paul Poupard in Moscow to promote recognition of Europe’s shared Christian roots

Wednesday, 17 November 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, accompanied by the Council’s Secretary Father Bernard Ardura, is visiting Moscow, 14 to 21 November to promote recognition of the Christian roots of Europe in a series of events at Russian cultural institutions.
On Friday 19 November he will attend the inauguration of the “Library of the Spirit”, the main reason for the visit. The library, run by jointly Orthodox and Catholics, is a library, a publishers and culture centre with its own cafe for cultural and literary events. Cardinal Poupard will preside the inauguration together with Metropolita Filaret of Minsk, the animator of this place of encounter for Moscovite Christians who share commitment for culture. Among those present the Russian Minister of Culture and the Mayor of Moscow.
The Pope sent a telegramme of greetings to the participants. During the week Cardinal Poupard and Father Ardura will take part in a series of events in cultural institution in Moscow. On 16 November the Cardinal visited the State Humanistic University of Moscow for a Conference on “Dialogue between faith and culture for a new humanism.
Today 17 November he will give a lecture at Moscow’s famous Academy of Science.
The visit will have an ecumenical character. During the week the Cardinal will meet Metropolita Kyrill, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for foreign relations. He will also visit Moscow’s seminary, St Sergio Academy of Theology situated in the famous monastery of St Sergio.
During his visit, Cardinal Poupard will meet the local Catholic community and Archbishop Kondrusiewicz. In fact the Cardinal will have a meeting with the priests of Mother of God Archdiocese on Thursday 18 November and he will give a conference on “The Church and the challenges of present day culture”. On Sunday 21 November, Feast of Christ the King and also the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, the Cardinal will preside a celebration of Mass in the Mother of God Cathedral in Moscow. Concelebrants will include Archbishop Kondrusiewicz and the Apostolic Delegate to the Russian Federation Archbishop Mennini. (AP) (17/11/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:43; Parole:493)


Share: