Serbian Patriarch wants
to meet Benedict XVI
BELGRADE, Jan. 27 (Translated from ANSA's Balkan service) - Irinej, the new Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has reiterated his desire to meet Pope Benedict XVI, saying "the time has come for such a meeting" which could take place in Serbia.
"In the past, a possible visit by the Bishop of Rome had been discussed, but our position at the time was that the time had not come and we should await the right occasion. Now, I think the time has come," the Patriarch was quoted in the Belgrade newspapers.
"Perhaps it is time that we should tell each other directly what we have to say, and then we can both reflect. Divisions are never positive," he said. "And the division between the Eastern and Western Churches has lasted for centuries".
Thus, he said, a meeting would be indispensable to start examining the outstanding issues. "It is not possible to get to know each other without meeting and talking to each other."
In the days before his election earlier this week to replace Patriarch Pavle, who died last November at age 95, Irinej had said the Serbian Church would like to invite Benedict XVI to visit in 2013 on the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan whereby Emperor Constantine officially recognized Christianity.
Constantine the Great (272-337) was Roman Emperor from 306 to his death. Center photo, imperial coin from 313; right, head of the so-called Constantine Colossus, a 12-meter high statue of the emperor during his lifetime, now in Rome's Museo Capitolino.
Serbia is celebrating this particularly in Nis, a city of south Serbia where Constantine was born to a Roman soldier and his wife.
Irinej was Bishop of Nis until he was elected Patriarch.
Fr. Lombardi says Patriarch's
words are 'very encouraging'
VATICAN CITY, Jan. 28 (Translated from Apcom) - Statements made by the new Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church are 'very encouraging', according to Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, who said, however that it is premature to speculate on a papal visit to Serbia in 2013 as Patriarch Irinej hopes for.
"His words do show that we are on the right path and that we will continue to follow this road to Christian unity," Lombardi said.
As for a papal visit to Serbia, Lombardi noted that "We know 2013 represents an important date for the Serbian Church, and it is something that the Vatican will keep in mind."
He also pointed out that Serbian President Boris Tadic extended the invitation to the Pope when he visited the Vatican last November 4.
Fr. Lombardi said in a Vatican note that "In the context of positive dialog with the Orthodox Churches, the Holy See has taken note of the plans by the Serbian Catholic Church to celebrate the 1700th anniversary in 2013 of the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine who was born in Nis [now part of Serbia]."
The Vatican last week released the text of Pope Benedict's letter to Patriarch Irinej congratulating him on his election.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 28/01/2010 18:29]