Latest news with #Ecumenical
Herald Malaysia
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Ecumenical patriarch looks toward new pope with 'Christian hope'
Patriarch Bartholomew hopes Pope Leo XIV brings unity, peace, and dialogue to the global Church May 13, 2025 Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8. (Photo: AFP) By Laura Ieraci, OSV News Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said he hopes Pope Leo XIV will "be a dear brother and collaborator … for the rapprochement of our churches, for the unity of the whole Christian family, and for the benefit of all of humankind." The patriarch was one of several church leaders in the Christian East who welcomed the May 8 election of Pope Leo, noting his first words to the crowd in St. Peter's Square were about peace. Patriarch Bartholomew was at an event in his own honor in Athens, Greece, when he learned of the election, according to a report in The Orthodox Times. He welcomed the new bishop of Rome and spoke of his collaboration with Pope Francis in the areas of dialogue and care for creation. "We have done a lot," he said in comments in an English-language video message published by the ecumenical patriarchate. The ecumenical patriarch, who had hoped to visit Iznik, Turkey, with Pope Francis in May to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, said he hoped Pope Leo would "combine a visit to Nicaea with an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on the occasion of our feast of St. Andrew on 30 November." On May 12, at a special audience with journalists at the Vatican, Pope Leo was asked if he planned to fulfill the late pope's promise of going to Turkey to celebrate the anniversary. "We are preparing for it," the pope responded. But he did not say when the trip would be. Patriarch Bartholomew told those gathered in Athens, "We look toward the new pontiff with Christian hope," and he added that he intends to attend Pope Leo's inauguration in Rome May 18. "May he inspire the church and the world with the universal ideals of freedom, equality, justice and solidarity. May he help end wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and prevent conflict between India and Pakistan," he said. "I hope we can inaugurate a new era in our bilateral relations and in relations between East and West." In a message posted on the website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych noted that the first words Pope Leo spoke from the balcony were "Peace be with you." He said that "suffering Ukraine hears these words as words of hope and special God's blessing." "His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expressed the wish these words 'reach all nations, all the earth.' We sincerely believe the new bishop of Rome will become for the long-suffering Ukrainian people a herald of peace that comes from the risen Lord," said Major Archbishop Shevchuk. Metropolitan Archbishop Fülöp Kocsis of Hajdudorog, Hungary, who heads the Hungarian Greek Catholic Church, also commented on the pope's words of peace. "Not only did he literally wish them peace, but he quoted the risen Christ, who also greeted the apostles with these words," he said. "Of course, peace after the resurrection is quite different, since Jesus Christ gives peace in a way that is different from the way the world gives it. It is not about the laying down of arms, but about the power of Christ." The new pontiff had visited Hungary twice in recent years, first as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, for the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest in September 2021, and then as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in April 2023, when he accompanied Pope Francis on his apostolic visit to Hungary, which included a visit to the Greek Catholic Protection of the Mother of God Church in Budapest. The metropolitan archbishop said the choice of the name Leo expresses the pope's intention to "emphasize his social sensitivity, since Pope Leo XIII wrote the first encyclical on the subject in 1891, 'Rerum Novarum,' which was about poverty and the working class." Leo XIII was also the first pontiff to acknowledge the dignity of the Eastern Catholic churches within the Catholic communion with his 1894 encyclical, "Orientalium Dignitatis" ("On the Churches of the East"), he noted. "So, the choice of the name Leo is particularly dear to us," Archbishop Kocsis said, referring to Eastern Catholics. While he thought the new pope would choose the name Francis II, he said he was "glad the pope dared to reach back into tradition." "I am convinced that Leo XIV will take the same line as Pope Francis. Dialogue and the inclusion of the poor are important to him," Archbishop Kocsis said. "The two of them were excellent collaborators, they discussed many things together." In New York, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America recognized Pope Leo's election "with fraternal esteem" and renewed the church's "unwavering commitment to strengthening dialogue and fellowship between our churches, guided by humility, openness and mutual respect." "His ministry, deeply inspired by the example of Pope Francis, resonates strongly with the enduring commitment of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew toward ecumenical dialogue, reconciliation and care for the most vulnerable among us," he said. Bishop Joy Alappatt of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago, where Pope Leo was born, said Eastern Catholics "anticipate a renewed focus on synodality, honoring liturgical identity, and engaging in genuine dialogue with our ancient practices." In his first message to the crowd in St. Peter's Square after his May 8 election, Pope Leo had underlined the importance of walking as a synodal church. Bishop Alappatt said, as a cardinal, the new pontiff had served as a member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches since 2023, and "witnessed the beautiful unity of our universal Catholic communion between East and West." The bishop said the pope's previous ministry in Peru "showcases a pastor who truly listens, walks humbly with his community, and amplifies the voices from the margins. "His deep love for the impoverished and his presence among Indigenous populations strongly reflect the many missions led by Eastern churches around the world," Bishop Alappatt said. He noted especially the numerous pastoral and charitable works of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in mission territories across central and north India. The pope's "pastoral spirit, nurtured in Chicago and Peru, now opens pathways in the East through a welcoming and enriching approach," he continued. "His papacy will inspire us to embrace our missionary calling with greater courage and compassion." The Order of St. Augustine, of which the pope entered as a friar, posted on its website an interview he gave when was elevated to cardinal in 2023. In that interview, he said, "Being a synodal church that knows how to listen to everyone is the way not only to live the faith personally, but also to grow in true Christian brotherhood." "The church is fully such only when it truly listens," he said, "when it walks as the new people of God in its wonderful diversity, continually rediscovering its own baptismal call to contribute to the spread of the Gospel and the kingdom of God."--
Observer
05-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Church in Muscat celebrates Golden jubilee, thanks the country
Muscat: The Mar Thoma Parish in Muscat celebrated the Golden jubilee of its existence in Oman and the churchmen have thanked the country, the ruler and the people for the harmonious coexistence of various religions in the country. "We are immensely grateful to the ruler, the ministers, the people and the Sultanate of Oman for the harmonious coexistence of various religions and faiths and the peace in the country," said Rev Father Sajan Varghese of the faith. As part of the closing ceremony of the one-year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations and Valedictory Function of Mar Thoma Church in Oman Parish held on Saturday, March 01, at St Thomas Church, Ruwi, many socio-cultural events were held which enthralled the audience who gathered from all over the country. The function started with Parish showing respect to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq, followed by playing the national anthems of Oman and India. The general meeting was inaugurated by Most Rev Dr Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, the 22nd Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the Paramount President of the Church in the presence of the Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Dr Euyakim Mar Coorilos. Guest of Honors were Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Co-operation in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, P Prasad, Minister of Agriculture, State of Kerala, India. PCO Lead Pastor Mitchel Ford, Dr Wahid Ali Said al Kharusi, Chairperson of Oman Cancer Association Rev Sajan Varghese and Rev Obed Samuel, Vicar and Asst Vicar of the Parish along with other dignitaries. Binu M Philip, General Convener of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations presented the Jubilee report by thanking the country and the government of Oman for providing the Parish all required facilities and freedom of worship in the last five decades. Parish paid tribute to Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for granting an audience to church's late bishop. Philip mentioned in his speech that the Parish responded to the needs of sick and the needy people as a part of their mission and action in the Jubilee year. This includes support to Oman Cancer Association and a Pain and Palliative Care unit in Kerala. Also proceeds from the annual get together were distributed to needy to meet their expenses for Medical, Education and House. A yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebrations which included visit to all Parish member's houses, Ecumenical musical programme involving different parishes in Oman, women empowerment programme with Sreelekha IPS, the first female IPS officer and Ex DGP of Kerala who lead the sessions, convention, family day lead by Father Joseph Puthenpurakkal from Kerala, Parish Christmas Carol, devotional musical programme performed by famous playback singer KG Markose and a fellowship in Kerala with ex members of the parish who are retired and settled in Kerala in attendance. During the valedictory function, seven members of the Parish who completed 50 years in membership of the parish were honoured. The seven dignitaries who were honoured includes Dr C Thomas, Dr Renchi Mathew, Dr Mathew Koshy who served the Sultanate of Oman with their dedicated medical services and Sam Varghese, Thomas Alexander, George M Thomas who are successful businessmen from Oman and Koshy Samuel from Bahrain. Also, the 10-subcommittee conveners were honoured for their excellent services throughout the year besides members from the Parish in large and other Church's' as well as people from other communities who have made their presence felt with their services to the society.
The Independent
23-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ecumenical Orthodox patriarch backs Ukraine's sovereignty in Mass marking 3 years of war
The top figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity on Sunday declared that 'Ukraine's sovereignty is not up for debate, nor can it be negotiated under the guise of diplomacy,' as he celebrated Mass in Istanbul on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia 's war in Ukraine. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered the 'first among equals' in Eastern Orthodoxy, said any future peace agreement 'must include Ukraine as an equal participant.' He praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his 'tireless effort' to defend the country's independence. Most Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, though the country remains split between an independent church based in Kyiv and another aligned with Moscow. Bartholomew, who has consistently shown support for Ukraine since the war began, recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as independent from Moscow in 2019 — a move that prompted Russian Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church to sever contact. 'No force can extinguish the spirit of the people who refuse to be broken,' Bartholomew said in his sermon at a Mass attended by relatives and friends of Ukrainian soldiers who are missing or believed to be held in Russian captivity. 'No nation has the right to force its will upon another, and no power can erase a people's history.' The service drew tears from the participating Ukrainians. Among them was Tetiana Tantsiura, whose husband Oleg Naradko, a soldier in Ukraine's 115th Mechanized Brigade, went missing in action in July 2022. 'It's hard to talk about,' Tantsiura told the Associated Press, 'He disappeared July 2022. Until this time, the current year, I don't know anything. I only hope that he is alive, and he will return in Ukraine.' Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has tried to justify the invasion of Ukraine in part as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox Church, leaders of both Ukrainian Orthodox factions — and the country's significant Catholic minority — have strongly condemned the war. Ukraine's consul general to Istanbul, Nedilskyi Roman, thanked the patriarch for his 'personal and spiritual' support to Ukraine. 'Your prayers have given us the strength to stand and fight the insidious enemy for 3 years. Thank you for your personal and spiritual support to millions of Ukrainians around the world who were forced to leave their homes to save the lives of their children," Roman said.
Washington Post
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Ecumenical Orthodox patriarch backs Ukraine's sovereignty in Mass marking 3 years of war
ISTANBUL — The top figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity on Sunday declared that 'Ukraine's sovereignty is not up for debate, nor can it be negotiated under the guise of diplomacy,' as he celebrated Mass in Istanbul on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered the 'first among equals' in Eastern Orthodoxy, said any future peace agreement 'must include Ukraine as an equal participant.' He praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his 'tireless effort' to defend the country's independence.
Associated Press
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Ecumenical Orthodox patriarch backs Ukraine's sovereignty in Mass marking 3 years of war
ISTANBUL (AP) — The top figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity on Sunday declared that 'Ukraine's sovereignty is not up for debate, nor can it be negotiated under the guise of diplomacy,' as he celebrated Mass in Istanbul on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered the 'first among equals' in Eastern Orthodoxy, said any future peace agreement 'must include Ukraine as an equal participant.' He praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his 'tireless effort' to defend the country's independence. Most Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, though the country remains split between an independent church based in Kyiv and another aligned with Moscow. Bartholomew, who has consistently shown support for Ukraine since the war began, recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as independent from Moscow in 2019 — a move that prompted Russian Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church to sever contact. 'No force can extinguish the spirit of the people who refuse to be broken,' Bartholomew said in his sermon at a Mass attended by relatives and friends of Ukrainian soldiers who are missing or believed to be held in Russian captivity. 'No nation has the right to force its will upon another, and no power can erase a people's history.' The service drew tears from the participating Ukrainians. Among them was Tetiana Tantsiura, whose husband Oleg Naradko, a soldier in Ukraine's 115th Mechanized Brigade, went missing in action in July 2022. 'It's hard to talk about,' Tantsiura told the Associated Press, 'He disappeared July 2022. Until this time, the current year, I don't know anything. I only hope that he is alive, and he will return in Ukraine.' Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has tried to justify the invasion of Ukraine in part as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox Church, leaders of both Ukrainian Orthodox factions — and the country's significant Catholic minority — have strongly condemned the war. Ukraine's consul general to Istanbul, Nedilskyi Roman, thanked the patriarch for his 'personal and spiritual' support to Ukraine. 'Your prayers have given us the strength to stand and fight the insidious enemy for 3 years. Thank you for your personal and spiritual support to millions of Ukrainians around the world who were forced to leave their homes to save the lives of their children,' Roman said.
