Catholic, Orthodox prelates issue statement on meeting between Pope, Ecumenical Patriarch

May 19, 2014

The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America have issued a joint statement on the upcoming meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

“Fifty years ago, in January 1964, two great Christian leaders met in Jerusalem. Pope Paul VI of Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople swept aside centuries of hostility and embraced one another in the city where Christ was crucified and rose from the dead,” said Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and Archbishop Demetrios.

“Our Churches have increasingly been able to speak with one voice on the pressing issues that our society faces today,” they added. “We commit ourselves to increased cooperation in these areas, including social, economic, and ethical dilemmas, and we call our people to pray for the success of the upcoming meeting between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Jerusalem for the glory of God and the promotion of Christianity in our wounded world.”

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Kurtz, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios Celebrate Growing Closeness Between Catholics And Orthodox Ahead Of Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meeting In Jerusalem (USCCB)