In areas where Eastern
Christians live, that is, especially in the Middle East, "individuals
and communities must face trials and difficulties" and this causes "deep
concern" for Catholics and Orthodox.
"All Christians need to work together in mutual acceptance and trust in order to serve the cause of peace and justice."
This
was just one of Benedict XVI’s reflections during the encounter which
took place Friday morning, with the participants at the meeting of the
Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Benedict XVI reflected on the stages of the Commission's work. "The
first phase of the dialogue, from 2003 to 2009, resulted in the common
text entitled Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church. The
document outlined aspects of fundamental ecclesiological principles that
we share and identified issues requiring deeper reflection in
successive phases of the dialogue. We can only be grateful that after
almost fifteen hundred years of separation we still find agreement about
the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in
priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the
Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the world".
"In the second phase the Commission has reflected from an
historical perspective on the ways in which the Churches expressed
their communion down the ages. During the meeting this week you are
deepening your study of the communion and communication that existed
between the Churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history,
as well as the role played by monasticism in the life of the early
Church".
It is a dialogue, in the words of the Pope, in which "we must have confidence" and that
"will lead our Churches not only to understand each other more deeply,
but resolutely to continue our journey decisively towards the full
communion to which we are called by the will of Christ. "