Pope's message to meeting marking Edict of MIlan anniversary
(Vatican Radio) In a message sent to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew
1st, Pope Francis says he is looking forward “in hope to the day when the
divisions of the second millennium will be definitively consigned to the past.” The
papal message was sent through the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
to the Orthodox leader and members of the CCEE, or Council of European Bishops Conferences,
who jointly organised a seminar in Istanbul marking the 1700th anniversary
of the Edict of Milan. The seminar on May 17th and 18th reflected from different religious perspectives on the far reaching consequences of Emperor Constantine’s decree allowing freedom of worship for Christians throughout the Roman empire. Speakers and delegates from across Europe, including Metropolitan Hilarion from the Russian Orthodox Church, also discussed the historical, legal and political challenges to religious freedom on the continent today.
The papal message, which was read out to participants, says: “Pope Francis is eager that the common witness of Christ’s disciples in Europe should help to spread the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. He calls on civil authorities everywhere, in the light of Constantine’s historic decree, to respect the right of believers to worship freely and to express their faith publicly. At the same time he invites all European citizens to recognize the role that Christianity has played in shaping our culture, and to remain open to the continuing contribution that Christian believers can make in this regard.”
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