The Orthodox Diocese of Kaliningrad
responds to the Archbishop of Mother of God in Moscow, Mgr. Paolo Pezzi,
who had objected to the bill for the restitution of religious property nationalized by the state.
According
to the draft, which could be approved by November, the Russian Orthodox
Diocese of Kaliningrad would be given the former Catholic church of the
Holy Family.
Denouncing the law as unjust drawn up without consulting the
religious organizations other than the Patriarchate of Moscow, Mgr.
Pieces had noted that for more than 20 years the Catholic community of
Kaliningrad has been calling on the authorities to return confiscated
property, without being heard.
"It seems very strange that Archbishop Pezzi should publicly accuse
the Orthodox faithful of unreliability without trying to negotiate and
discuss the situation - the diocese of Kaliningrad made known in a
statement - such statements can actually harm e cooperation and
relations between our churches and perhaps not only in the region".
Archbishop Pezzi had also drawn attention to historical facts:
Kaliningrad became part of the Soviet Union after the Second World War
and it is hard to find Orthodox churches in its territory before that
time. There were only Lutheran and Catholic.
"This emphasis - continues the note from the Orthodox diocese -
surprises us. We must remember that the ethnic and religious composition
of the region has changed greatly over the past 60 years. Today most of
the population is considered orthodox and the service of the diocese is
based on this reality. "
For this reason the Orthodox claim new
buildings for worship.
Finally, the statement reminded Msgr. Pezzi of a saying, that has
threatening undertones: "People in glass houses should not throw
stones."
"The Kaliningrad region is a special area for Russia. – It
concludes- its uniqueness should force us, representatives of different
religions, to be a model of peace and coexistence for which the Russian
Orthodox Church is ready. "
SIC: AN/INT'L