Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture has accepted an invitation from Filaret, Metropolita of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Esarch of Belo-Russia and President of the Synodal Theological Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church to visit Minsk from 10 to 12 December 2004.
The Cardinal’s visit follows his recent journey to Moscow for the inauguration of the new premises of the “Spirit Library ” for which messages were sent by both Pope John Paul II and the Patriarch of Moscow.
Metropolita Filaret, Rector of the Saint Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Theological Institute, has invited Cardinal Poupard to hold the opening address of an international conference “Christianity and Increased Co-operation of Spiritual Values in the European Community”. In his intervention, Cardinal Poupard will emphasise that facing the challenge of secularism, non belief, religious indifference, Europe, daughter of Christianity, has need of evangelisation so that the Christian faith may once again be the builder of culture for individuals, families, the entire family of peoples from East to West, following the example of Saint Cyril and Methodius.
The themes addressed during the Conference will include Christian identity, religious freedom, religion in secularised Europe, cultural interaction between Orthodox and Catholics, holiness, morals, Christian social doctrine and formation of ethic bases in a civil society. The event will close with a round table discussion dedicated to the memory of St Averincev, on the roots of culture and art in Europe.
On Sunday 12 December, Cardinal Poupard will concelebrate Mass with Cardinal Swiatek, Archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev in the Catholic Cathedral of Minsk, together with the local Catholic clergy and faithful. (AP) (7/12/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:27; Parole:317)
