Vatican Stresses Positive Approach To Greece

VATICAN, May 2, 01 (CWNews.com) - In an interview that was televised in Greece, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that during his trip to Athens, John Paul II will emphasize the faith that unites Catholic and Greek Orthodox believers, rather than their differences.

"There will be a time to discuss the problems," Navarro-Valls said. But for now, he continued, "The Pope is going to Greece principally inspired by what unites the churches."

A transcript of the Greek television interview with Navarro-Valls was distributed by the press office of the Holy See-an unusual step, which indicated that the Vatican was making a concerted effort to emphasize the positive aspects of the Pope's trip to Greece. The preparations for that visit have been marred by the implacable opposition of some Greek Orthodox protesters.

Rather than emphasizing those protests, Navarro-Valls instead observed that the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Christodoulos of Athens will appear with the Pope on three different occasions, "and especially (they will) together read the text of St. Paul at the Areopagus." This, he said, would be a "historic event."

Although the Pope's visit to Greece is unlikely to produce "great agreements" with the Greek Orthodox Church, the symbolic gestures made by the Pope and the Metropolitan could help to overcome suspicions and misunderstandings, Navarro-Valls said.

The papal spokesman remarked that Pope John Paul has already visited Greece-during the time when he served as Archbishop of Krakow. He noted that the visit was a source of delight for the future Pope, who had long admired Greek culture. During that visit, he said, the Pope gained a deeper understanding "not only of Greek philosophy, but also Greek literature, poetry, and classical theater-while he also came to love the islands, the sea, and the sun."

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
2. mai 2001