Thursday, December 14, 2006

Zenit News Agency - Challenges of Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue

ROME, DEC. 14, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Christodoulos, head of the Greek Orthodox Church, expressed hope that his historic meeting with Benedict XVI will lead to a joint declaration in favor of recognizing Europe's Christian roots.

For insight into today's visit and its ecumenical repercussions, ZENIT interviewed Monsignor Dimitrios Salachas, of the Greek-Catholic Apostolic Exarchy of Athens.

The monsignor is a professor of canon law in Rome, and consultor for the Congregation for Eastern Churches, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and other Roman Curia organizations.

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Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome

CNS STORY: Pope, Greek Orthodox primate pledge to work toward full communion

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After centuries of allowing themselves to grow apart, Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox must seek forgiveness and learn to work together for the good of the world, said Pope Benedict XVI and Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece.

The pope formally welcomed the primate of the Orthodox Church of Greece to the Vatican Dec. 14, solemnly signing with him a commitment to preaching the Gospel together and to working for full communion.

Read more: CNS STORY: Pope, Greek Orthodox primate pledge to work toward full communion

Orthodox Church 'stunned' by extent of financial abuse

Orthodox Church 'stunned' by extent of financial abuse: "Leaders of the Orthodox Church in America, who had long resisted calls for an investigation, have acknowledged a history of financial abuse at church headquarters in Syosset, N.Y.

'Large amounts of church funds were used to improperly pay for personal expenses,' said a joint statement yesterday from the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council, a governing body of clergy and laity."

Pope calls for cooperation among Christians against secularism in Europe - Europe - International Herald Tribune

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday urged Archbishop Christodoulos, head of the Orthodox Church of Greece, to work together to fight growing secularism in Europe.

The pope met Christodoulos at the Vatican in what was the archbishop's first visit since he attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in April 2005.

Read more: Pope calls for cooperation among Christians against secularism in Europe - Europe - International Herald Tribune