Russian Patriarch sees Vatican as key ally against secularism
November 19, 2010
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill told a Moscow audience that the Catholic and Orthodox churches are working together “defending the traditional concept of family and human values from aggressive secular liberalism.”
Despite difficulties in theological dialogue, the Moscow Patriarchate has found the Vatican a powerful ally in that battle, the Orthodox leader said. He credited Pope Benedict XVI for creating new opportunities for cooperative work.
Patriarch Kirill made the observation that many Protestant churches have deserted the ancient Christian consensus on sexual morality. In Russia and neighboring countries, he said, Protestants take a more traditional stand, and are therefore closer to their Orthodox neighbors than to other Protestants in the Western world.
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Posted by: Justin8110 -
Nov. 19, 2010 6:34 PM ET USA
The Russian Orthodox are known for being pretty serious about Orthodoxy as opposed to Catholicism in matters of Faith and I think that is great. Why compromise on essentials? The great thing is that despite the failure of ecumenism in matters of faith Patriarch Kirill can reach out to Catholics on issues that we can agree on: the fight against radical secularism. May God look favorably upon the Russian Orthodox.
