A meeting between Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Benedict XVI is quite possible but it must be preceded by the settlement of disagreements currently existing between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, said Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, a deputy head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations."Neither His Holiness Patriarch Alexy nor the Head of the Roman Catholic Church have ever denied the possibility of a meeting between them in principle," Father Vsevolod told Interfax on Thursday in comments on a statement by Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the apostolic nuncio to Russia, who reportedly said recently that Alexy II's meeting with Benedict XVI was becoming increasingly likely.
"Certain positive dynamics in relations between the two churches does exist," Father Vsevolod said, adding that he hoped that "it will be developing in the future."
At the same time, "we still need to clarify a number of principled issues in our relations with the Catholic Church," he said.
"It is no secret that certain Catholic figures, including those in Russia, are still saying that they need to proselytize among the Russian people, whose entire history is connected with Orthodoxy, most of whom have been baptized in Orthodoxy, and who are experiencing the revival of the Orthodox faith these days," he said.
"If we absolutely and unambiguously stop missionary competition and attempts to establish ourselves at each other's expense, then our cooperation will open up huge prospects for testifying Christian values to the modern world, which expects this and needs this," Father Vsevolod said.
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