Orthodox patriarch, Anglican leader to attend Vatican II celebration
(Sept. 19, 2012) The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Anglican
Archbishop of Canterbury will join Pope Benedict XVI's celebration of the 50th anniversary
of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
and Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury will attend the Mass that Pope Benedict
will celebrate at the Vatican to mark the anniversary of the Oct. 11, 1962, opening
of the council, Vatican officials said. Representatives from the Orthodox Church and
Anglican Communion were observers at the 1962-65 council, which officially embraced
and promoted Catholic involvement in the ecumenical movement. During the January
celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Benedict said the Second
Vatican Council placed the search for Christian unity "at the center of the life and
work of the church," because it was Christ's desire that his followers be united.
In addition, the pope said, "the lack of unity among Christians impedes a more effective
proclamation of Christ because it puts our credibility in danger. He said “How can
we give a convincing witness if we are divided?" Ecumenical cooperation in proclaiming
the Christian message is expected to be a key topic at the world Synod of Bishops
on new evangelization next month.