Archbishop Pezzi on Rome and Moscow

VATICAN CITY, JULY 4, 2008 (Zenit.org) - Relations with the Russian Orthodox Church are progressing, but its main obstacle is a lack of desire for unity, says the leader of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow.

Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, in Rome last week to receive the pallium from Benedict XVI, spoke to L'Osservatore Romano about the relations between the two Churches.

He said that "on too many occasions, one perceives the concern to defend one's plot or wanting to maintain a distance."

"Certainly there are some knots that have not managed to be undone, and so are transformed into obstacles," the prelate said. "If there is no real desire to move toward full unity, dialogue becomes difficult. Where there is a real desire, on the contrary, dialogue can be engaged in with honesty, sincerity and always in truth."

Nevertheless, Catholics and Orthodox in Moscow are making efforts to collaborate, he affirmed.

"We try to carry out concrete forms of collaboration between the Churches, but also to engage in sincere friendship. Above all, we try to walk in the same direction," the prelate said.

Archbishop Pezzi affirmed that his relationship with Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow is warm and cordial.

"He has invited me to the Orthodox liturgy, both at Christmas and Easter," the archbishop said. "I must say that on all occasions I was warmly received. Patriarch Alexy has always been cordial and warm in his expressions to me.

"I remember, for example, that after the Christmas liturgy -- it isn't a secret -- the patriarch greeted me publicly and stressed our common concern to care for God's flock. These were significant words.

"However, he did not have words for me alone. [He] greeted and raised a prayer for Benedict XVI. In a word, he manifested respect for the Catholic Church. Essentially, I would say that I immediately noted a positive reception."

Archbishop Pezzi was assigned to Moscow in September of last year.

Papal visit?

The archbishop suggested that in any case, a papal visit to Moscow is still not possible.

"Not all the conditions exist yet," the prelate contended. But he said that recent events "show unquestionable steps forward on the path to closer proximity."

He proposed two steps that need to be made first.

"A trip of this sort would mean, or should mean, that the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Moscow patriarchate has progressed significantly, allowing for an exchange of visits," Archbishop Pezzi said. "I don't think the Pope wants to visit Moscow without an explicit invitation from the Orthodox Church."

Second, the prelate said he believes such a visit would have to be preceded by an earlier visit between the Pope and the patriarch, in different circumstances and in a third country.

Emphasizing that this suggestion is a "very personal opinion of his," Archbishop Pezzi proposed that such a meeting "should be held in a particular circumstance, perhaps in the course of an ecumenical event, in any country of the world to which both have been invited."

Archbishop Pezzi noted, however, that steps are already being taken in this direction. In this connection, he stressed the importance of the visit of Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople to Rome for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, and Benedict XVI's earlier visit to Constantinople.

"In my opinion it is necessary to continue on this path, and to try to foster continuous meetings in order to grow and to further reciprocal knowledge, essential to building the path toward the final meeting," Archbishop Pezzi stated.

The prelate also pointed out that the Russian Orthodox have a "very positive" perception of Benedict XVI. He said they appreciate "the passion this Pope has for the development of tradition in the good sense and his constant 'fresh return' -- to use John Paul II's expression -- to the sources of Christianity."

They also appreciate "his clarity and sincerity when affirming the content of the Christian event and the Catholic faith," he added.

What is "most important is to reinforce the desire to walk together and to ask for the Lord's help," Archbishop Pezzi affirmed. "We must not forget that full communion is a gift that we must pray for to the Spirit of Christ."