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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-06-05
CONTENTS
[01] ARCHBISHOP - POPE - WELCOME
[01] ARCHBISHOP - POPE - WELCOME
Pope Benedict XVI has wished for all the inhabitants of Cyprus to find
the wisdom and strength needed to work together for a just settlement
of issues remaining to be resolved. I will now join you in praying that
all the inhabitants of Cyprus, with Gods help, will strive for peace
and reconciliation, and to build for future generations a society
distinguished by respect for the rights of all, including the
inalienable rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship, the
Pontiff said in his address to the Primate of the Church of Cyprus
Archbishop Chysostomos II, during a courtesy visit to him.
Addressing the Archbishop at the Archbishopric, the Pope said he was
grateful for the support that the Church of Cyprus, through the clarity
and openness of its contributions, has always given to the work of the
Theological Dialogue. May the Holy Spirit guide and confirm this great
ecclesial undertaking, which aims at restoring full and visible
communion between the Churches of East and West, a communion to be
lived in fidelity to the Gospel and the apostolic tradition, esteem for
the legitimate traditions of East and West, and openness to the
diversity of gifts by which the Spirit builds up the Church in unity,
holiness and peace, he added.
No one can remain indifferent to the need to support in every way
possible the Christians of that troubled region, so that its ancient
Churches can live in peace and flourish. The Christian communities of
Cyprus can find a most fruitful area for ecumenical cooperation in
praying and working together for peace, reconciliation and stability in
the lands blessed by the earthly presence of the Prince of Peace, the
Pope noted.
On his part, Archbishop Chrysostomos expressed joy and a sense of
honour for having the Pope in Cyprus. He said that in the two thousand
years of its history our Church has experienced periods of great
spiritual fruitfulness and splendour and its spiritually enlightened
Bishops participated in all the Ecumenical Councils, at which they
often played a leading role. He noted that despite the small numbers of
its flock, the Church of Cyprus holds an eminent position in Orthodoxy
and enjoys fraternal relations with all the Churches.
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