VATICAN - Message from Pope Benedict XVI to His Holiness Bartholomew I Archbishop of Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the Feast of St Andrei the Apostle: “the Catholic Church remains irrevocably committed to promoting all suitable and helpful initiatives to strengthen charity, solidarity and theological dialogue between us.”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew 30 November Pope Benedict XVI entrusted to a Delegation of the Holy See which will be present on 30 November in the patriarchal church of St George in Fanar, a message for His Holiness Bartholomew I Archbishop of Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarch. The Holy See delegation is presided by Cardinal Walter Kasper president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
In his message the Holy Father expresses his affection in the Lord and his prayers for Patriarch Bartholomew and the “fervent hope for an even deeper communion which will overcome those obstacles remaining between us and enable us to celebrate together the Holy Eucharist, the one sacrifice of Christ for the life of the world.”. Recalling the 40th anniversary (7 December 1965) the day on which Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, dissatisfied with what had occurred in 1054, decided together at Rome and Constantinople to cancel from the Church’s memory the sentence of ex-communication which had been pronounced, the Pope said the event “became the basis of a renewed relationship marked by reciprocal respect and reconciliation”.
The cancellation of reciprocal excommunications “marked the beginning of a new season of ecclesial life, a season of dialogue, which has seen significant progress yet remains challenged to continue the rigorous pursuit of its much cherished goals” the Holy Father continues and adds that a source of satisfaction is resumed theological dialogue after some years of interval: the Pope prays it may be fruitful certain that no effort will be spared in this intent. Lastly the Pope assures the Patriarch the Holy Synod, “and through you all the Orthodox Churches, that the Catholic Church remains irrevocably committed to promoting all suitable and helpful initiatives to strengthen charity, solidarity and theological dialogue between us.”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2005 - Righe 21, Parole 300)