(Lyons) Card. Philippe Barbarin will write directly to the Pope to inform him of the proposal that Patriarch Bartholomew I made last night in Lyons, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Kek, i.e. the idea of setting up a Conference of all the Christian Churches of Europe which the Catholic Church has been called to join in too. This is how the archbishop of Lyons - questioned by the press during the General Assembly of Kek in Lyons - replied to the request that Patriarch Bartholomew I personally made him during his speech. “The Patriarch - the cardinal said - expressed the hope that relations with the Catholic Church may become more intensive, and in this statement he went beyond that”. The archbishop points out that the proposal made by the Patriarch is not “new”, because “this issue was already raised by the Churches in the past”. In addition, the archbishop points out that this issue involves “major structural changes” and some correlation with the non-participation of the Catholic Church in the World Council of Churches”. (continued)

And he added: “However, I can personally say that this appeal has been listened to. It was a powerful, hopeful and fraternal appeal. Then, the Patriarch spoke to me personally, so that I can bring this message of his to the people concerned. What I can do is write to the Pope, I will tell him I have been at the 50th anniversary of Kek and that Patriarch Bartholomew I entrusted me to be his messenger, a task I am glad to accept”. Then, the archbishop pointed out that “two levels” must be distinguished here: on one side, “the concrete ground of cooperation which does exist and can be certainly improved”, and, on the other side, “the issue of the integration of the structure that needs to be reflected upon”. Questioned by the press, Jean Arnold de Clemornt, president of Kek, explained: “We believe there can be a Council of all the Christian Churches of Europe, a place where all the Christians of Europe can meet and develop a joint message to be given to the European societies. In other words, this means meeting all together around a table and ask ourselves what are the big issues that Christians can find agreement about. It is a feasible project, especially after the third European Ecumenical Assembly of Sibiu, where 2,500 delegates of all the Churches of Europe said they want to create a joint testimony - and I believe this is possible”.