Paus Benediktus XVI pada Sabtu (19/9) mengumumkan pelaksanaan pertemuan khusus untuk membahas upaya perdamaian di Timur Tengah. Pihak Tahta Suci mengatakan pertemuan yang bakal dihadiri oleh para uskup dan para patriak atau pemimpin Gereja Katolik Ortodoks diselenggarakan tahun depan. Tepatnya, pada 10 hingga 24 Oktober. Di dalam ritus Gereja Katolik, pertemuan khusus tersebut dikenal sebagai sinode.
Paus dan Tahta Suci sudah lama aktif untuk mengupayakan perdamaian Timur Tengah melalui diplomasi. Perlindungan terhadap umat Kristiani di Tanah Suci dan pemberian dukungan kepada semua orang di seluruh dunia yang memperjuangkan damai di Timur Tengah menjadi salah satu landasan langkah diplomasi Paus dan Tahta Suci.
Sabtu, 19 September 2009 | 18:52 WIB
VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com - http://internasional.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/09/19/18525936/bicarakan.timur.tengah.paus.umumkan.sinode
Senin, 05 Oktober 2009
Paus Angkat Tiga Uskup Baru Vietnam
Pemimpin tertinggi Gereja Katolik Paus Benedictus XVI telah mengangkat tiga uskup baru untuk Vietnam. Para uskup baru itu diberi tanggung jawab untuk mempererat hubungan dengan pemerintah komunis Vietnam.
Pernyataan resmi Vatikan, Sabtu (25/7), menyebutkan, ketiga uskup baru itu adalah Mgr Joseph Vu Duy Thong untuk Keuskupan Phan Thiet, Mgr Pierre Nguyen Van De untuk Keuskupan Thai Binh, dan Joseph Nguyen Nang untuk Keuskupan Phat Diem.
Bulan lalu, Paus Benediktus menyampaikan harapannya yang besar untuk terjalinnya hubungan yang lebih sehat antara Gereja Katolik Roma dan pemerintah Vietnam. Di Vietnam, jumlah umat Katolik mencapai enam juta orang, dan termasuk jumlah terbanyak di Asia.
Ketegangan antara umat beriman --sebutan untuk penganut Katolik-- dan pemerintah sudah berlangsung lama, sejak 1954. Pemerintah mengawasi dengan ketat umat Katolik. Pemerintah juga selalu menolak pengangkatan pemimpin gereja.
Akan tetapi, akhir-akhir ini hubungan antara Gereja Katolik dan pemerintah itu makin cair. Perdana Menteri Nguyen Tan Dung bahkan menemui Paus ketika ia mengunjungi Vatikan pada tahun 2007. Tan Dung adalah pemimpin tertinggi negeri itu yang pernah bertemu Paus.
Awal pekan ini kantor berita Asia News mengutip pernyataan Kardinal Pham Minh Man yang menyatakan bahhwa Presiden Vietnam akan bertemu Paus di Vatikan pada bulan Desember mendatang.
Sabtu, 25 Juli 2009 | 21:19 WIB
VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com- http://internasional.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/07/25/21195962/paus.angkat.tiga.uskup.baru.vietnam
Pernyataan resmi Vatikan, Sabtu (25/7), menyebutkan, ketiga uskup baru itu adalah Mgr Joseph Vu Duy Thong untuk Keuskupan Phan Thiet, Mgr Pierre Nguyen Van De untuk Keuskupan Thai Binh, dan Joseph Nguyen Nang untuk Keuskupan Phat Diem.
Bulan lalu, Paus Benediktus menyampaikan harapannya yang besar untuk terjalinnya hubungan yang lebih sehat antara Gereja Katolik Roma dan pemerintah Vietnam. Di Vietnam, jumlah umat Katolik mencapai enam juta orang, dan termasuk jumlah terbanyak di Asia.
Ketegangan antara umat beriman --sebutan untuk penganut Katolik-- dan pemerintah sudah berlangsung lama, sejak 1954. Pemerintah mengawasi dengan ketat umat Katolik. Pemerintah juga selalu menolak pengangkatan pemimpin gereja.
Akan tetapi, akhir-akhir ini hubungan antara Gereja Katolik dan pemerintah itu makin cair. Perdana Menteri Nguyen Tan Dung bahkan menemui Paus ketika ia mengunjungi Vatikan pada tahun 2007. Tan Dung adalah pemimpin tertinggi negeri itu yang pernah bertemu Paus.
Awal pekan ini kantor berita Asia News mengutip pernyataan Kardinal Pham Minh Man yang menyatakan bahhwa Presiden Vietnam akan bertemu Paus di Vatikan pada bulan Desember mendatang.
Sabtu, 25 Juli 2009 | 21:19 WIB
VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com- http://internasional.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/07/25/21195962/paus.angkat.tiga.uskup.baru.vietnam
Jumat, 02 Oktober 2009
Djohan Effendi, Merayakan Perbedaan
Djohan Effendi tidak sedang bicara politis atau upaya membangun citra. Dia bicara hal yang substansial tentang kebebasan beragama dan berkeyakinan sebagai hak eksistensial manusia. Bukan basa-basi, melainkan aktif mempraktikkan teologi toleransi dengan tujuan memperkuat fondasi dan wawasan kebangsaan. Baginya, Indonesia dengan berbagai keragaman dan perbedaan merupakan berkah yang perlu disyukuri dan dikembangkan.
Terbentang panjang rekam jejaknya. Sejak tahun 1967, bersama Ahmad Wahib dan Dawam Rahardjo, Djohan mengembangkan teologi toleransi dalam diskusi kelompok Limited Group di Yogyakarta. ”Inisiatif kegiatan digagas Wahib. Nama Limited Group berasal dari Dawam,” kata Djohan merendah.
Bersama Mukti Ali, dosen mereka di IAIN Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Sunan Kalijaga), Yogyakarta, awalnya kegiatan ini hanya melibatkan empat orang. Lama-lama bergabung pula sejumlah tokoh agama lain, seperti Dick Hartoko SJ, JWM Bakker SJ, dan Purbowinoto. Buku Pergolakan Pemikiran Islam: Catatan Harian Ahmad Wahib, refleksi pembaruan kelompok diskusi mingguan itu, sempat menghebohkan. Kontroversi merebak menyangkut gugatan anak-anak muda terhadap berbagai hal yang tabu dalam Islam.
Kegiatan Limited Group ibarat pembuka kunci pembaruan. ”Padahal sebelumnya istilah pembaruan di kalangan Islam masih tabu.” Otokritik yang mereka lakukan ibarat bola salju menggelindingkan pembaruan dalam Islam.
Memang, inklinasi merayakan perbedaan Djohan terbentuk semakin liat di Yogyakarta, semasa kuliah di Fakultas Syariah IAIN Sunan Kalijaga (1963-1970). Dia memperoleh lahan subur yang dipupuk oleh kehadiran Mukti Ali, yang waktu itu masih sebagai dosen. Lingkungan intelektual yang terbiasa diskusi bebas membentuk intelektualitas Djohan yang dari sono-nya pluralis dan moderat. Limited Group menyemarakkan diskursus keislaman.
Menurut Djohan, para pendiri negara ini sudah menaruhkan fondasi visi kebangsaan Indonesia. Pancasila merupakan warisan amat berharga, bekal mengembangkan visi kebangsaan. Mereka pun merumuskan teologi yang diterima semua kalangan. Kaum Muslim rela menghapuskan tujuh kata dalam klausul Piagam Jakarta dan menghentikan hasrat mendirikan negara Islam. Kebebasan beragama merupakan pertaruhan kelestarian Indonesia yang dibangun atas kemajemukan. Indonesia merupakan melting pot yang menyatukan berbagai unsur agama.
Kedudukan sebagai pejabat Departemen Agama dan penulis pidato-pidato Soeharto yang berkaitan dengan masalah keagamaan membuka ruang bagi kesempatan mewujudkan ide-ide kemajemukan dalam keputusan politis, termasuk meletakkan dasar-dasar toleransi dan kehidupan umat beragama.
Ketika Mukti Ali sebagai Menteri Agama—Djohan begitu lulus IAIN tahun 1970 ditarik ke Departemen Agama dan kemudian staf pribadi menteri—hidup subur upaya dialog antaragama. Pada masa itu berkembang berbagai bentuk terobosan, mulai dari dialog antaragama, dialog antarumat beragama, sampai dialog karya sebagai awal dari dialog iman.
Dalam pidato penganugerahan gelar ahli peneliti utama (profesor riset) tahun 1992, Djohan menyinggung keberadaan kelompok minoritas seperti Konghucu. Pernyataan ini diminta agar dicoret. ”Saya tak mau. Dalam pidato, kalimat itu saya ucapkan.”
Bukan penjara
”Pada setiap agama mengandung kebenaran,” kata Djohan Effendi, di kantornya Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP), Cempaka Putih, Jakarta. Agama bukanlah penjara, tetapi sarana evolusi diri mencapai pencerahan tanpa batas. Adanya berbagai agama adalah anugerah. Itulah pencarian spiritual yang tulus. Sebuah penziarahan bersama. Djohan merasa sedih ketika terjadi pertikaian yang berlatar belakang agama di Indonesia. Agama tak bisa dilihat hitam putih. Semua dikembalikan kepada humanisme dengan kemanusiaan yang mempersatukan.
Mengutip pernyataan salah satu temannya, teolog Katolik, Hans Kung, Djohan berkata, mempelajari bermacam-macam agama berarti memperoleh perdamaian. Dalam setiap agama ditemukan perdamaian. Tak salah kalau dia kemudian terlibat dalam berbagai lembaga yang mempertemukan agama-agama, seperti di Majelis Budhayana Indonesia, DIAN/Interfidei, Madia, dan ICRP—lembaga yang dia bersama-sama ikut dirikan—kantor yang kini menjadi salah satu terminal kegiatan Djohan sehari-hari.
Begitu lulus sarjana tahun 1970, bersama Mukti Ali, ia lagi-lagi memperoleh lahan subur mengembangkan dialog agama. Setelah lima tahun sebagai staf pribadi Menteri Agama, Djohan dikaryakan di Sekretariat Negara. Karier sebagai penulis pidato Soeharto selesai ketika Djohan mendampingi KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) berkunjung ke Israel, tahun 1984, kunjungan yang memperoleh banyak tentangan di Indonesia.
Ketika Malik Fadjar sebagai Menteri Agama, Djohan diangkat sebagai Kepala Litbang Departemen Agama. Dia berkantor selama 24 jam. ”Rumah”-nya berupa kamar istirahat, satu pintu masuk dengan ruang tamunya di Lantai II Kantor Balitbang Departemen Agama, Jalan MH Thamrin. Setiap tiga bulan sekali pergi ke Geelong, di Victoria, Australia, sebab selain istri dan ketiga anaknya tinggal di sana, Djohan tengah menempuh kandidat doktor di Universitas Deakin, Geelong. Dia memperoleh gelar doktor (2005) dengan disertasi tentang pemikiran progresif kalangan muda NU, kiai muda NU, dan wanita NU.
Tidak selantang Gus Dur atau Nurcholish Madjid (Cak Nur), inklusivitas Djohan Effendi termasuk liberal yang rajin mengampanyekan dialog antaragama, membangun jaringan di antara mereka, serta punya perhatian besar kepada kelompok minoritas.
Dalam rangka perayaan 70 tahun usianya, terbit dua buku: Sang Pelintas Batas. Biografi Djohan Effendi yang ditulis Ahmad Gaus AF serta Merayakan Kebebasan Beragama—bunga rampai tulisan koleganya tentang persoalan yang selama ini digeluti Djohan Effendi. Peluncuran kedua buku itu akan dilaksanakan 6 Oktober.
Persisnya ulang tahun tanggal 1 Oktober, mengapa baru 5 Oktober (diskusi terbatas) dan 6 Oktober dirayakan? ”Habis Lebaran. Teman-teman masih mudik, belum kumpul semua,” sergah Siti Musdah Mulia, Ketua Umum Pengurus Yayasan ICRP.
Penulis: St.Sularto
Kamis, 1 Oktober 2009 | 04:25 WIB
Source:http://cetak.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/10/01/04250027/djohan.effendi.merayakan.perbedaan
Rabu, 23 September 2009
Akankah "Roma Ketiga" Bersatu Dengan "Roma Pertama"?
Will the "Third Rome" Reunite With the "First Rome"?
Recent Meeting Could Mark Turning PointBy Robert Moynihan
WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 21, 2009 (Zenit.org)- Sometimes there are no fireworks. Turning points can pass in silence, almost unobserved.
It may be that way with the "Great Schism," the most serious division in the history of the Church. The end of the schism may come more quickly and more unexpectedly than most imagine.
On Sept. 18, inside Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer palace about 30 miles outside Rome, a Russian Orthodox Archbishop named Hilarion Alfeyev, 43 (a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy, composer and lover of music), met with Benedict XVI, 82 (also a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy and lover of music), for almost two hours, according to informed sources. (There are as yet no "official" sources about this meeting -- the Holy See has still not released an official communiqué about the meeting.)
The silence suggests that what transpired was important -- perhaps so important that the Holy See thinks it isn't yet prudent to reveal publicly what was discussed.
But there are numerous "signs" that the meeting was remarkably harmonious.
If so, this Sept. 18 meeting may have marked a turning point in relations between the "Third Rome" (Moscow) and the "First Rome" (Rome) -- divided since 1054.
Archbishop Hilarion was in Rome for five days last week as the representative of the new Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
One key person Archbishop Hilarion met with was Cardinal Walter Kasper. On Sept. 17, the cardinal told Vatican Radio that he and Archbishop Hilarion had a "very calm conversation."
Cardinal Kasper also revealed something astonishing: that he had suggested to the archbishop that the Orthodox Churches form some kind of "bishops' conference at the European level" that would constitute a "direct partner of cooperation" in future meetings.
This would be a revolutionary step in the organization of the Orthodox Churches.
WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 21, 2009 (Zenit.org)- Sometimes there are no fireworks. Turning points can pass in silence, almost unobserved.
It may be that way with the "Great Schism," the most serious division in the history of the Church. The end of the schism may come more quickly and more unexpectedly than most imagine.
On Sept. 18, inside Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer palace about 30 miles outside Rome, a Russian Orthodox Archbishop named Hilarion Alfeyev, 43 (a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy, composer and lover of music), met with Benedict XVI, 82 (also a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy and lover of music), for almost two hours, according to informed sources. (There are as yet no "official" sources about this meeting -- the Holy See has still not released an official communiqué about the meeting.)
The silence suggests that what transpired was important -- perhaps so important that the Holy See thinks it isn't yet prudent to reveal publicly what was discussed.
But there are numerous "signs" that the meeting was remarkably harmonious.
If so, this Sept. 18 meeting may have marked a turning point in relations between the "Third Rome" (Moscow) and the "First Rome" (Rome) -- divided since 1054.
Archbishop Hilarion was in Rome for five days last week as the representative of the new Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
One key person Archbishop Hilarion met with was Cardinal Walter Kasper. On Sept. 17, the cardinal told Vatican Radio that he and Archbishop Hilarion had a "very calm conversation."
Cardinal Kasper also revealed something astonishing: that he had suggested to the archbishop that the Orthodox Churches form some kind of "bishops' conference at the European level" that would constitute a "direct partner of cooperation" in future meetings.
This would be a revolutionary step in the organization of the Orthodox Churches.
Papal-Patriarch encounter?
Cardinal Kasper said a Pope-Patriarch meeting was not on the immediate agenda, and would probably not take place in Moscow or Rome, but in some "neutral" place (Hungary, Austria and Belarus are possibilities).
Archbishop Hilarion himself revealed much about how his Rome visit was proceeding when he met on the evening of Sept. 17 (before his meeting with the Pope) with the Community of Sant'Egidio, an Italian Catholic group known for its work with the poor in Rome.
"We live in a de-Christianized world, in a time that some define -- mistakenly -- as post-Christian," Archbishop Hilarion said. "Contemporary society, with its practical materialism and moral relativism, is a challenge to us all. The future of humanity depends on our response… More than ever before, we Christians must stand together."
A report from Interfax, the news service of the Moscow Patriarchate, on Sept. 18 revealed that Archbishop Hilarion spoke to the Pope about "cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in the area of moral values and of culture" -- in particular during the "Days of Russian Spiritual Culture," a type of exhibit with lectures scheduled for spring 2010 in Rome. (One might imagine that the Pope himself could attend such an exhibition).
In memory of the visit, Archbishop Hilarion gave the Pope a pectoral cross, made in workshops of Russian Orthodox Church, the report said, Interfax reported.
Today, an Interfax report supplied details of Hilarion's remarks this morning in the catacombs of St. Callixtus.
"Denied by the world, far from human eyes, deep under ground in caves, the first Roman Christians performed the feat of prayer," Hilarion said. "Their life brought the fruit of holiness and martyr heroism. The Holy Church was built on their blood shed for Christ."
Then the Church came out of the catacombs, but Christian unity was lost, the archbishop said.
Archbishop Hilarion said that human sin is the cause of all divisions, while Christian unity can be restored only in the way of sanctity.
"Each of us, conscientiously fulfilling a task the Church has given him or her, is called to personally contribute to the treasury of Christian sanctity and work to achieve God-commanded Christian unity," the archbishop said.
A second Interfax report today added further information about the meeting with the Pope.
Growing influence
"During a talk with Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk pointed out the status of Orthodox believers in Western Ukraine where three Orthodox dioceses had been almost eliminated as a result of coercive actions of Greek Catholics in late 1980s and early 1990s," Interfax reported.
Archbishop Hilarion "stated the need to take practical steps to improve the situation in Western Ukraine," within the territories of Lvov, Ternopol and Invano-Frankovsk Dioceses, the report said.
Meanwhile, in Russia itself, the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by Patriarch Kirill, seems to be growing, though not without opposition.
The rise in Russia of Kirill and his increasing influence in legislative matters seems to be arousing opposition from the "siloviki," forces connected with the old KGB.
In an article in the current issue of Argumenty Nedeli, Andrey Uglanov says that Kirill's extraordinary activity has attracted attention from some who do not like to have their positions questioned, let alone challenged. And that has become Kirill's "big problem."
These "siloviki," Uglanov says, have been offended by Kirill's "anti-Stalinist and anti-Bolshevik actions," including his appearance at the Solovetsky stone in Moscow's Lubyanka Square on the very Day of the Memory of the Victims of Political Repression.
In this context, Hilarion's visit to Rome takes on even more importance.
The Russian Orthodox Church is a power in Russia, but it faces opposition and needs allies.
What is occurring in Hilarion's visit to Rome, then, may have ramifications not only for the overcoming of the "Great Schism," but also for the cultural, religious and political future of Russia, and of Europe as a whole.
It is especially significant, in this context, that Hilarion, Kirill's "Foreign Minister," has some of the same deep interests as Benedict XVI: the liturgy, and music.
"As a 15-year-old boy I first entered the sanctuary of the Lord, the Holy of Holies of the Orthodox Church,” Hilarion once wrote about the Orthodox liturgy. “But it was only after my entrance into the altar that the 'theourgia,' the mystery, and 'feast of faith' began, which continues to this very day.
"After my ordination, I saw my destiny and main calling in serving the Divine Liturgy. Indeed, everything else, such as sermons, pastoral care and theological scholarship were centered around the main focal point of my life -- the liturgy."
Archbishop Hilarion himself revealed much about how his Rome visit was proceeding when he met on the evening of Sept. 17 (before his meeting with the Pope) with the Community of Sant'Egidio, an Italian Catholic group known for its work with the poor in Rome.
"We live in a de-Christianized world, in a time that some define -- mistakenly -- as post-Christian," Archbishop Hilarion said. "Contemporary society, with its practical materialism and moral relativism, is a challenge to us all. The future of humanity depends on our response… More than ever before, we Christians must stand together."
A report from Interfax, the news service of the Moscow Patriarchate, on Sept. 18 revealed that Archbishop Hilarion spoke to the Pope about "cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in the area of moral values and of culture" -- in particular during the "Days of Russian Spiritual Culture," a type of exhibit with lectures scheduled for spring 2010 in Rome. (One might imagine that the Pope himself could attend such an exhibition).
In memory of the visit, Archbishop Hilarion gave the Pope a pectoral cross, made in workshops of Russian Orthodox Church, the report said, Interfax reported.
Today, an Interfax report supplied details of Hilarion's remarks this morning in the catacombs of St. Callixtus.
"Denied by the world, far from human eyes, deep under ground in caves, the first Roman Christians performed the feat of prayer," Hilarion said. "Their life brought the fruit of holiness and martyr heroism. The Holy Church was built on their blood shed for Christ."
Then the Church came out of the catacombs, but Christian unity was lost, the archbishop said.
Archbishop Hilarion said that human sin is the cause of all divisions, while Christian unity can be restored only in the way of sanctity.
"Each of us, conscientiously fulfilling a task the Church has given him or her, is called to personally contribute to the treasury of Christian sanctity and work to achieve God-commanded Christian unity," the archbishop said.
A second Interfax report today added further information about the meeting with the Pope.
Growing influence
"During a talk with Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk pointed out the status of Orthodox believers in Western Ukraine where three Orthodox dioceses had been almost eliminated as a result of coercive actions of Greek Catholics in late 1980s and early 1990s," Interfax reported.
Archbishop Hilarion "stated the need to take practical steps to improve the situation in Western Ukraine," within the territories of Lvov, Ternopol and Invano-Frankovsk Dioceses, the report said.
Meanwhile, in Russia itself, the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by Patriarch Kirill, seems to be growing, though not without opposition.
The rise in Russia of Kirill and his increasing influence in legislative matters seems to be arousing opposition from the "siloviki," forces connected with the old KGB.
In an article in the current issue of Argumenty Nedeli, Andrey Uglanov says that Kirill's extraordinary activity has attracted attention from some who do not like to have their positions questioned, let alone challenged. And that has become Kirill's "big problem."
These "siloviki," Uglanov says, have been offended by Kirill's "anti-Stalinist and anti-Bolshevik actions," including his appearance at the Solovetsky stone in Moscow's Lubyanka Square on the very Day of the Memory of the Victims of Political Repression.
In this context, Hilarion's visit to Rome takes on even more importance.
The Russian Orthodox Church is a power in Russia, but it faces opposition and needs allies.
What is occurring in Hilarion's visit to Rome, then, may have ramifications not only for the overcoming of the "Great Schism," but also for the cultural, religious and political future of Russia, and of Europe as a whole.
It is especially significant, in this context, that Hilarion, Kirill's "Foreign Minister," has some of the same deep interests as Benedict XVI: the liturgy, and music.
"As a 15-year-old boy I first entered the sanctuary of the Lord, the Holy of Holies of the Orthodox Church,” Hilarion once wrote about the Orthodox liturgy. “But it was only after my entrance into the altar that the 'theourgia,' the mystery, and 'feast of faith' began, which continues to this very day.
"After my ordination, I saw my destiny and main calling in serving the Divine Liturgy. Indeed, everything else, such as sermons, pastoral care and theological scholarship were centered around the main focal point of my life -- the liturgy."
Liturgy
These words seem to echo the feelings and experiences of Benedict XVI, who has written that the liturgies of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday in Bavaria when he was a child were formative for his entire being, and that his writing on the liturgy (one of his books is entitled "Feast of Faith") is the most important to him of all his scholarly endeavors.
"Orthodox divine services are a priceless treasure that we must carefully guard," Hilarion has written. "I have had the opportunity to be present at both Protestant and Catholic services, which were, with rare exceptions, quite disappointing… Since the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, services in some Catholic churches have become little different from Protestant ones."
Again, these words of Hilarion seem to echo Benedict XVI's own concerns. The Pope has made it clear that he wishes to reform the Catholic Church's liturgy, and preserve what was contained in the old liturgy and now risks being lost.
Hilarion has cited the Orthodox St. John of Kronstadt approvingly. St. John of Kronstadt wrote: "The Church and its divine services are an embodiment and realization of everything in Christianity... It is the divine wisdom, accessible to simple, loving hearts."
These words echo words written by Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, who often said that the liturgy is a "school" for the simple Christian, imparting the deep truths of the faith even to the unlearned through its prayers, gestures and hymns.
Hilarion in recent years has become known for his musical compositions, especially for Christmas and for Good Friday, celebrating the birth and the Passion of Jesus Christ. These works have been performed in Moscow and in the West, in Rome in March 2007 and in Washington DC in December 2007.
Closer relations between Rome and Moscow, then, could have profound implications also for the cultural and liturgical life of the Church in the West. There could be a renewal of Christian art and culture, as well as of faith.
All of this was at stake in the quiet meeting between Archbishop Hilarion and Benedict XVI on Friday afternoon, in the castle overlooking Lake Albano.
These words seem to echo the feelings and experiences of Benedict XVI, who has written that the liturgies of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday in Bavaria when he was a child were formative for his entire being, and that his writing on the liturgy (one of his books is entitled "Feast of Faith") is the most important to him of all his scholarly endeavors.
"Orthodox divine services are a priceless treasure that we must carefully guard," Hilarion has written. "I have had the opportunity to be present at both Protestant and Catholic services, which were, with rare exceptions, quite disappointing… Since the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, services in some Catholic churches have become little different from Protestant ones."
Again, these words of Hilarion seem to echo Benedict XVI's own concerns. The Pope has made it clear that he wishes to reform the Catholic Church's liturgy, and preserve what was contained in the old liturgy and now risks being lost.
Hilarion has cited the Orthodox St. John of Kronstadt approvingly. St. John of Kronstadt wrote: "The Church and its divine services are an embodiment and realization of everything in Christianity... It is the divine wisdom, accessible to simple, loving hearts."
These words echo words written by Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, who often said that the liturgy is a "school" for the simple Christian, imparting the deep truths of the faith even to the unlearned through its prayers, gestures and hymns.
Hilarion in recent years has become known for his musical compositions, especially for Christmas and for Good Friday, celebrating the birth and the Passion of Jesus Christ. These works have been performed in Moscow and in the West, in Rome in March 2007 and in Washington DC in December 2007.
Closer relations between Rome and Moscow, then, could have profound implications also for the cultural and liturgical life of the Church in the West. There could be a renewal of Christian art and culture, as well as of faith.
All of this was at stake in the quiet meeting between Archbishop Hilarion and Benedict XVI on Friday afternoon, in the castle overlooking Lake Albano.
Uskup Agung Rusia Hilarion Alfeyev Kunjungi Paus di Roma
Russian Orthodox Official: Time for Solidarity
Visits Pope and Ecumenism Council President in the VaticanROME, SEPT. 21, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev says there are so many reasons for Catholics and Orthodox to cooperate in our de-Christianized world that it is time to move past divisions and competition and exist in solidarity and mutual love.
The archbishop affirmed this after he met in the Vatican on Friday with Benedict XVI and on Thursday with Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The cardinal invited the archbishop, who since March has been the chairman of the Department of External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Archbishop Alfeyev was already well-known at the Vatican, having previously been the Russian Orthodox Church's representative to the European Institutions in Brussels. He is also an accomplished composer, using his music to bring East and West together. His interpretation of St. Matthew's account of the Passion was performed at the Vatican before Easter in 2007; his Christmas oratorio premiered that year at a Catholic Church in Washington, D.C..
With his new role in the Russian Orthodox Church, the archbishop met with the Pope on Friday, later telling a group of journalists that he hopes the Holy Father and Patriarch Kirill will be able to meet soon.
"We support the Pope in his commitment to the defense of Christian values" he said. "We also support him when his courageous declarations arouse negative reactions on the part of politicians or public figures or they are criticized and sometimes misrepresented by some in the mass media."
"We believe that he has the duty to witness to the truth and we are therefore with him even when his word encounters opposition," the archbishop affirmed.
"Personally, I hope that sooner or later the meeting that many are awaiting between the Pope and the patriarch of Moscow will take place. I can say with responsibility that on both sides there is the desire to prepare such a meeting with great care," he said.
This meeting, Archbishop Alfeyev acknowledged, would represent a major step forward in relations between Catholics and Orthodox.
Much to do
The Orthodox prelate re-emphasized that at present there are enormous possibilities for cooperation between the two Churches.
Before us, he said, there opens the vast expanse of "today’s de-Christianized world."
"All Christians, and especially we Orthodox and Catholics, can and must respond together to these challenges," the archbishop affirmed. "Together we can propose to the world the spiritual and moral values of the Christian faith. Together we can offer our Christian vision of the family [and] affirm our concept of social justice, of a commitment to protect the environment [and] to defend human life and its dignity."
The Church "is not a supermarket of the spirit," he continued; the Church "makes life fuller, more human and divine."
The archbishop then expressed his hope that the relationship between Catholics and Orthodox develops more intensely and that the problems that remain between the two traditions be soon overcome.
He further pointed out that the patriarch of Moscow would like to open a new page in relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, pursuing an open and sincere dialogue.
Constructive ties
The archbishop was on his first visit to Rome since his appointment to the external affairs office.
Cardinal Kasper spoke to Vatican Radio after his meeting with the Orthodox representative, affirming that "the meeting reflected the new situation between the Catholic Church and the Patriarchate of Moscow: We have overcome all the tensions that existed in past years and at present we have a normal relationship, tranquil and even positive, constructive."
"From the beginning, Hilarion expressed his high esteem for Pope Benedict XVI, who is much appreciated in the Russian Orthodox Church; later we spoke of our relations, especially the theological dialogue that will take place in Cyprus in the coming weeks," the cardinal explained.
The International Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole will meet next month for its 11th plenary session. The Church leaders will examine a draft document outlined during a 2008 meeting in Crete. At present, the commission is reflecting on the role of the Bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church in the first millennium -- before the Great Schism of 1054.
This was the topic of discussion during the 10th plenary assembly of the Mixed Commission which, in 2007, brought together 30 Catholic delegates and 30 Orthodox to reflect on the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church.
During the Ravenna meeting, the delegation of the Patriarchate of Moscow decided to withdraw because of conflict among the various members of the Orthodox delegation.
Cardinal Kasper explained that that situation has been resolved: "Now [the Russian Orthodox] wish to return to dialogue; they have overcome these tensions between Moscow and Constantinople on the case of Estonia, and wish to collaborate normally."
He continued: "[W]e also spoke about our bilateral relations: By way of example, a concert they wish to have here in Rome; I suggested, [in turn] that we might also have an exhibition in Moscow.
"We have spoken of the exchange of priests, of theologians and of all that which might help to improve relations and also to overcome the prejudices and resistance that exist in Russia against the Catholic Church and ecumenism; however, little by little, we can also overcome this."
"Both sides are determined to go forward," Cardinal Kasper affirmed, admitting that "for the moment, a papal visit to Moscow is not on the agenda," though "they do not reject a meeting with the Pope."
Beginning to love
On Sept. 17, Archbishop Alfeyev attended afternoon prayer with the Sant'Egidio Community, in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, addressing a greeting to those present.
On that occasion, thanking the members of the community for their "contribution to dialogue" and their commitment to the poor and the neediest, he spoke of the common challenge represented by "a de-Christianized world," dominated by "consumerism, hedonism, practical materialism and moral relativism."
"Only united will we be able to propose to the world the spiritual and moral values of the Christian faith; together we will be able to offer our Christian vision of the family, of procreation, of a human love made not only for pleasure; to affirm our concept of social justice, of a more equitable distribution of goods, of a commitment to safeguarding the environment, for the defense of human life and its dignity," said the Orthodox prelate.
"Therefore, the time has come to move from a failure to meet and competition, to solidarity, mutual respect and esteem; I would even say, without a doubt, that we must move to mutual love," he stressed. "Our Christian preaching can have effect, can be convincing also in our contemporary world, if we are able to live this mutual love between us, Christians."
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