Pope stresses on ecumenical importance of Cyprus

(June 4, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday held a prayer meeting with representatives of various Christian communities of Cyprus, and stressed on the need for the followers of Christ to overcome their divisions and strive for the restoration of full visible unity. The Pope participated in an ecumenical celebration with representatives from the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Lutheran, Anglican and other communities at the Orthodox Golden City Church in Paphos. Pope Benedict is on a 3-day pastoral visit to the Mediterranean island nation to release the working document of the Special Synod of Bishops for the Middle East scheduled for October this year in Rome. Referring to the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope said that Cyprus was the first stage in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul and it was there that Paul, Barnabas, a native of Cyprus, and Mark preached the Gospel, spreading the faith throughout the Empire and in the then-known world. The Pope said, “The Church in Cyprus can rightly be proud of her direct links to the preaching of Paul, Barnabas and Mark, and her communion in the apostolic faith, a communion which links her to all those Churches who preserve that same rule of faith.” “This is the communion, real yet imperfect, which already unites us, and which impels us to overcome our divisions and to strive for the restoration of that full visible unity which is the Lord’s will for all his followers,” the Pope stressed. The said that the upcoming synod of Bishops for the Middle East will reflect on the vital role of Christians in the region, encourage them in their witness to the Gospel, and help foster greater dialogue and cooperation between Christians throughout the region. He said the synod will include delegations from other Churches and Christian communities in the region, as a sign of their common commitment to the service of God’s word and our openness to the power of his reconciling grace. The Pope however acknowledged that “the path leading to the goal of full communion will certainly not be without its difficulties, yet,” he said, “the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Cyprus are committed to advancing in the way of dialogue and fraternal cooperation.”