Russian Orthodox Church in Ireland seeks equal status with Catholics

(Sept.14,2010) Moscow's Patriarch Kirill has asked the government of Ireland to give the Russian Orthodox Church the same legal standing as the Catholic Church. Meeting in Moscow with Ireland's President Mary McAleese, on her first her official visit to Russia on Sept. 8, Patriarch Kirill protested that in Ireland, Russian Orthodox parishes are recognized only as "charitable organizations." There are about 1,500 Russian Orthodox faithful in Ireland. Fr. Georgy Zavershinsky, head of communications for External Relations Department of the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate termed it a very important goal. The priest explained that Russian Orthodox parishes in many Western countries, are registered as charitable communities, similar to other small communities or sects. Besides Ireland, this is also the case in Britain. The Irish president promised to start bilateral consultations between ministers to discuss the issue..