(September 5, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging an "opportune initiative" being
organized to consider the "spiritual struggle" as understood in the Orthodox tradition.
The Pope, through his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, sent a message
to the 17th annual International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality.
He expressed his hopes that the "fraternal gathering" would bring about a renewed
awareness of the value of the spiritual struggle as a consequence of the love of Christ,
and generous efforts in the ascetic formation of young generations. The papal message
is addressed to Prior Enzo Bianchi of the Monastery of Bose in Italy, which is where
the Wednesday through Saturday conference will be held. "Organized in collaboration
with the Orthodox Churches, the conference is an important occasion of discussion
on fundamental themes of the spiritual life," organizers explain. This year's theme
"touches the very centre of a problem that is extremely relevant today. [...] This
is the art of the struggle against 'evil thoughts,' as tradition defines those negative
images, impulses, inclinations that disturb the 'mind' by distracting it from the
memory of God and pushing it into sin," they added. The Catholic Church will be represented
by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, vice dean of the College of Cardinals; Archbishop Antonio
Mennini, apostolic nuncio in Russia; Monsignor Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity; and Jesuit Father Milan Zust, of that same
dicastery.