EXCHANGES OF PUBLICATIONS BETWEEN ROME AND MOSCOW

Pope Benedict XVI thanked the Russian Orthodox Church for publishing the book “Europa. Patria Spirituale” (Europe. Spiritual home). In the meantime, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican publishing house, announced it will publish a book by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Kirill, called “Libertà e Responsabilità. Alla ricerca dell’armonia” (Freedom and Responsibility. In search of harmony). The book “Europa Patria Spirituale”, published in an Italian/Russian bilingual edition, was presented in Rome yesterday on the occasion of the Social Forum of Dialogue between Italy and Russia. Published by the Patriarchate of Moscow in cooperation with the association “Sofia”, the book collects the speeches that Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI has dedicated to Europe in the last decade. The message sent by the State Secretariat on the Holy Father’s behalf has been immediately read out: “The Supreme Pontiff thanks all those who have given their contribution for the devout and significant gesture and for the feelings that suggested it and, while he ensures of his prayer, he gladly sends his blessing greetings”. The presentation of the book by Patriarch Kirill for the Vatican publisher will instead be presented in April next year at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, before the president of the Department for external ecclesiastic relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, archbishop Hilarion of Vookolamsk.
The Head of the Catholic University, Lorenzo Ornaghi, highlighted that the book “Europa. Patria Spirituale” clearly shows what route should be followed for a truly creative culture to make Europe thrive again: “faith is the source of a lively culture and a culture of life, the one that best fulfils man’s truest wishes”, he said. Milan Zust, Director of relations with the Church at the Papal Council for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, spoke on behalf of the Catholic Church at the workshop: “This book is an extremely important step for building that mutual trust and esteem that make our common testimony in Europe so clear and transparent”. In return for that, Reverend Sergej Svonarev of the Patriarchate of Moscow proposed that “our dialogue should be based on these topics, by establishing a meeting place all centred on the topic: values of religion, values of Europe”.

© SIR - Thursday 03 December 2009