After returning from the inauguration of Pope Francis, the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said he sees a possibility for reunion between the Orthodox and Roman churches. But he added that this “will probably not happen during my life”.
The Ecumenical Patriarch said he was surprised to receive an invitation from the new Pontiff to join in a dinner with cardinals. His participation in the Pope’s inauguration was also something innovative.
Patriarch Bartholomew said he was optimistic of the union as he saw a positive attitude at the Vatican. He said: “there is a possibility for the next generations to see the Churches of the East and West.”
“Strive for justice”
In an Easter message, the leaders of the Christian churches of Jerusalem said: “The Christian presence in the mother city of our faith remains a beacon of the light of the Risen Christ that the first disciples were witness to in front of the empty tomb. We invite all people of faith and good will in the world, particularly those in positions of authority, to strive for justice and peace among nations.
“We especially pray for Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel, Egypt, Iraq, and all those places suffering political upheaval.
“We pray for all victims of violence and oppression, for prisoners, for those who live without security, fugitives and refugees, especially those here in our land.”
Nobel Peace Prize winner defends Pope
The actions of Pope Francis – then provincial of the Jesuits – during the military rule in Argentina have been defended by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, an Argentine human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980.
He described as defamatory the campaign to tarnish the reputation of the Pope. Perez Equivel said this campaign was fuelled by various political and ideological trends.
He added that the accusations against then Fr Jorge Mario Bergoglio were completely unfounded as he had nothing to do with the military dictatorship.
On the contrary, he fought on behalf of the missing people and of the persecuted.
Vatican for treaty banning arms
The Vatican is calling for the adoption of a treaty banning the transfer of arms when violations of humanitarian or human rights take place.
At the final conference of the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the UN, Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, said: “A responsible international arms trading system should provide strong protections against the transfer of arms to countries where such arms are being used against civilian populations in violation of internationally agreed humanitarian and human rights laws.
“Furthermore, the Holy See has urged delegations to reorient the regulation of the trade in arms from one which is controlled through the lens of sheer economic interests to one which places overriding importance on human concerns and protecting human life and families.”
Paris protest against same-sex marriage
According to organisers, more than a million people rallied in Paris last Sunday to protest against a government plan to recognise same-sex marriage.
The legislation allowing for homosexual unions was approved by a large majority in the lower house of Parliament and will most probably be also approved by the Senate.
President François Hollande is a staunch supporter of the measure.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)