BENEDICT XVI: MESSAGE TO THE PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I, "URGE TO GIVE TESTIMONY TO UNITY"

"The challenges of the contemporary world are urging Christ’s disciples to give testimony to their unity." This words are written by Pope Benedict XVI in his personal message to the Patriarch Bartholomew I, a message that was delivered yesterday together with a gift by Cardinal Walter Kasper. The President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity led the Holy See delegation who attended the solemn Liturgy held yesterday in the Patriarchal Church in the Phanar for the Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, traditionally celebrated on the day of St Andrew (30 November). In his message, the Pope recalled Patriarch Bartholomew’s "three visits" to Rome this year. Then he wrote he had been informed about the "positive outcome" of the meeting between the Orthodox Churches’ primates and representatives (10-12 October) in the Phanar concerning intra-Orthodox relations. As for relations with the Church of Rome, the Pope ended his message by saying: "on the Feast of St Andrew, let us reflect with joy and gratitude on the relations between us that are moving to a deeper level while renewing our commitment to prayer and dialogue." ” ” ” “