Orthodox Prelate Anxious for Papal Visit to Ukraine

VATICAN, Jun 21, 01 (CWNews.com) - The Orthodox Patriarch Filaret of Kiev says that he is anxiously looking forward to the arrival of Pope John Paul II in Ukraine, and finds it "ridiculous" that Russian Orthodox leaders are opposed to the papal visit.

Patriarch Filaret-- one of three prelates competing for leadership among the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful-- spoke to the Italian newspaper Avvenire just two days before the Pope is scheduled to begin his visit to Ukraine. He said that he is "very happy" the Pope is coming, and predicted that Ukraine will become the most important focus for steps toward unity between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Until 1992, Filaret was acknowledged by the Russian Orthodox Church as the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox. But his insistence on independence from Moscow eventually prompted a break with the Russian Orthodox leadership, and Filaret established his own independent Orthodox Patriarchate of Kiev, which now claims about 6 million faithful. The Moscow Patriarchate labels that body as "schismatic."

Patriarch Filaret rejected the complaints of the Russian Orthodox leadership that the Pope's visit will exacerbate conflicts between Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic believers. The tensions between the two faiths, he said, "have almost ceased to exist." And he added, "I really doubt that the Ukrainian Orthodox will suddenly decide to become Catholics just because the Pope has arrived."

The patriarch indicated that he hopes to meet the Pontiff personally when John Paul II attends an ecumenical meeting in Kiev. No formal speeches are planned, but Filaret said he would use the occasion to "salute the Pope."

CWN - Catholic World News
21. juni 2001