during his meeting with Patriarch Neofit, Francis outlined "the wounds [that] opened at some point of heritage between us Christians" and the persecution below communism. He additionally mentioned that "we will find the pleasure of forgiveness and revel in a foretaste of the day when, with God's support, we will have a good time the Paschal secret at one altar."
Sofia (AsiaNews) – The second part of Pope Francis's first morning in Bulgaria changed into marked with the aid of the meeting with Orthodox Patriarch Neofit, the discuss with to the cathedral and the recitation of the Regina Caeli.
Bulgaria, Francis referred to, is a rustic the place Christians "persevered suffering for the identify of Jesus" below communism. today, it "is a crossroads the place a considerable number of spiritual expressions encounter one one more and have interaction in speak", a circumstance that fuels the quest for Christian team spirit.
In his address in the square outdoor Alexander Nevsky Cathedral earlier than the recital of the Regina Caeli, the pontiff outlined the memory of Pope John's presence in Bulgaria before a crowd of a few thousand americans, many of whom were personally greeted by using the Pope. during this land, Mgr Roncalli "learned to esteem the traditions of the jap Church and developed friendly relationships with the different religious confessions."
prior, all the way through his assembly with the patriarch, Francis referred to "the wounds opened for the duration of historical past between us Christians continue to be painful bruises on the physique of Christ which is the Church. Even nowadays, their outcomes are tangible; we will touch them with our hands. Yet, perhaps collectively we will contact those wounds, confess that Jesus is risen, and proclaim him our Lord and our God. most likely collectively we can respect our failings and immerse ourselves in his wounds of love. And during this approach, we can find the pleasure of forgiveness and luxuriate in a foretaste of the day when, with God's help, we can celebrate the Paschal mystery at one altar."
"what number of Christians in this country persisted suffering for the name of Jesus, mainly during the persecution of the final century! The ecumenism of blood! They unfold a pleasing perfume over this "Land of Roses". They handed in the course of the thicket of trials in order to spread the fragrance of the Gospel. [. . .] I believe in particular of the monastic way of life that from technology to technology has nurtured the religion of the people. I believe that these witnesses of Easter, brothers and sisters of diverse confessions united in heaven via divine charity, now seem to us as seeds planted within the earth and meant to bear fruit.
"We too, as heirs of the faith of the saints, are known as to be builders of communion and peacemakers in the identify of Jesus. [. . .] In our relationships, too, Saints Cyril and Methodius remind us that, 'far from being a drawback to the Church's cohesion, the range of customs and observances only provides to her beauty' and that between East and West 'numerous theological formulations are often to be regarded complementary instead of conflicting'".
The consult with to the cathedral became highly ecumenical. The Pope paused in prayer before the "throne of Saints Cyril and Methodius" and began his handle earlier than the Marian prayer by using announcing "Christ is risen! With these words, Christians – Orthodox and Catholic – right here in Bulgaria have from precedent days greeted one yet another within the Easter season".
Bulgaria is an Orthodox nation. Catholics number round 50,000 out of a inhabitants of seven million and relations are traditionally peaceable, as they were between 1925 and 1934 when Mgr Roncalli was posted in Sofia. "His diplomatic and pastoral journey in Bulgaria left so deep a mark on his pastor's heart that he changed into ended in promote in the Church the possibility of ecumenical communicate, which bought a tremendous impulse in the second Vatican Council, which he himself wished to convene. In a certain sense, we are able to thank this land for the sage and impressed instinct of 'decent Pope John'."
"In pursuing this ecumenical event, i will be able to shortly have the pleasure of greeting the representatives of a variety of religious confessions of Bulgaria, which, while an Orthodox country, is a crossroads where quite a few non secular expressions stumble upon one yet another and engage in dialogue. The very welcome presence during this meeting of representatives of these distinctive communities is an indication of the want of all to pursue the more and more fundamental adventure towards "the culture of discussion as a route; mutual cooperation because the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding because the method and common" (doc on Human Fraternity, Abu Dhabi, four February 2019).
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