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A Russian Orthodox View of Papacy, and More

Interview With Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev

VIENNA, Austria, NOV. 6, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox can be fruitful, though many hurdles still exist on the road to Eucharistic communion, says a leading prelate.

Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria, representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions, commented in this interview on Benedict XVI's forthcoming visit to Turkey, as well as on other topics.

(Part 1) (Part 2)

Here is a news flash from the Catholic Church on issues relating to the Orthodox Church:

Pope Backs "Appropriate" Status for Church in Greece
Juridically, It Is Now Considered a Private Entity

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI took up the request of Catholic bishops of Greece to be able to have an "appropriate" juridical status in that country.

The Pope formulated the request today in the wake of meetings with the prelates of that overwhelmingly Orthodox nation, in which Catholics comprise 0.55% of the population.

"In the conversations I have had with you I have gathered your desire to have defined, on the part of the state, the right to have an appropriate and recognized juridical status," the Holy Father told an audience of Catholic bishops of Greece. The prelates were concluding their five-yearly visit to Rome.

Taking into account the Orthodox majority, the Greek Constitution establishes a state license to build "places of prayer" and prohibits proselytism.
Read the full story here

Benedict XVI Desirous of Ties With Greek Orthodox

Including Taking Part Together "in the One Altar"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI spoke of the desire for closer ties with the Greek Orthodox Church when he gave an audience to the Catholic bishops of Greece.

The bishops were on their five-yearly visit to Rome. Catholics constitute only 0.55% of Greece's population of 10.6 million.

"The desire is great in all to take part together in the one altar on which is offered under the veil of the Sacrament the one Sacrifice of Christ," the Pope said today when addressing relations with the Orthodox.

"We want to intensify prayer so that the day will come as soon as possible in which we will be able to break together the Bread and drink from the same Chalice in which the price of our salvation is deposited," he added.
Read the full story here

Neocatechumate Clarifies Meeting With Orthodox

"We Agreed With Patriarchate to Continue In-depth Dialogue"

MOSCOW, OCT. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a press release from the Neocatechumenal Way clarifiying the details of a meeting between Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, and the initiators of the Neocatechumenate.

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On Oct. 19 took place a meeting between Kirill, metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, president of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, and the initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández, accompanied by Father Mario Pezzi.

Kiko Argüello explained to the Metropolitan the origins and development of the Neocatechumenal Way following the Second Vatican Council's rediscovery of Christian initiation and the Catechumenate for adults.
Read the full story here