Patriarch Bartholomew: Benedict XVI, friend of the Orthodox
(Vatican Radio) Upon being informed on the way to his native island of Imvros of
the imminent retirement of Pope Benedict from the Petrine ministry, Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew issued a formal declaration and personal statement to the media, responding
with sadness to the news:
It is with regret that we have learned of the
decision by His Holiness Pope Benedict to retire from his Throne, because with his
wisdom and experience he could have provided much more to the Church and the world.
Pope
Benedict leaves an indelible mark on the life and history of the Roman Catholic Church,
sealed not only by his brief papacy, but also by his broad and longstanding contribution
as a theologian and hierarch of his Church, as well as his universally acknowledged
prestige.
His writings will long speak of his deep theological understanding,
through his knowledge of the Fathers of the undivided Church, his familiarity with
contemporary reality, and his keen interest in the problems of humankind.
We
Orthodox will always honor him as a friend of our Church and a faithful servant of
the sacred proposition for the union of all. Moreover, we shall rejoice upon learning
of his sound health and the productivity of his theological work.
Personally,
we remember with emotion his visit to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over
six years ago, together with the numerous encounters and excellent cooperation, which
we enjoyed throughout the duration of his primatial ministry.
From the Phanar,
we pray that the Lord will manifest his worthy successor as the head of the sister
Church of Rome, and that we may also continue with this successor on our common journey
toward the unity of all unto the glory of God.