DAY OF SAINT ANDREW: PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW’S ADDRESS TO THE VATICAN DELEGATION

"We are forced to remove between us the thorns we have building up for one thousand years in the relations between our Churches, regarding faith as well as the structure and governance of the Church". This was said by the Patriarch, Bartholomew I, in his address to the delegation of the Holy See that arrived in Istanbul for the Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is celebrated on November 30th, the Day of Saint Andrew. The delegation is headed by card. Walter Kasper, president of the Papal Council for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, and includes mgr. Brian Farell, secretary of the same ministry, and Reverend father Vladimiro Caroli, officer of the Oriental Section. The apostolic nuncio to Turkey, mgr. Antonio Lucibello, also joined them in Istanbul. Yesterday, the delegation of the Holy See took part in the solemn Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of Fanar, met the Patriarch and had talks with the Synodal Commission in charge of relations with the Catholic Church. In his address to the delegation, the Patriarch thanks and reciprocates the "sentiments of love and esteem" that Pope Benedict XVI had expressed in his message. (continued)