The history of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church – RIA Novosti

The Catholic Church – the largest of the Christian churches, which unites the faithful of the Catholic confession. The organization of the Roman Catholic Church differs strict centralization, hierarchical character, despite the presence of dozens of local Catholic churches throughout the world. The head of the Roman Catholic Church – the Pope, the seat of which is the Vatican

Papal Nunciature (Embassy) operated since the end of the XVIII century to 1917 in Russia.. Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church was the Archbishop of Mogilev, who had a residence in St. Petersburg. Under the terms of the concordat (Russian treaty with the Vatican) 1847 Pope confessed head of Russian Catholics. In 1866, a concordat was terminated unilaterally by Russia (contact Russian Catholics and the Kingdom of Poland with the Roman Curia made through the Minister of Internal Affairs). All the Catholic bishops were appointed by the Russian emperor, in agreement with the Pope.

After the October Revolution of 1917 to the Catholic clergy has been extended Decree SNK RSFSR of January 23 (February 5, New Style) in 1918 on the church from the state department and . school and church

In the Soviet Union there were two Roman Catholic hierarchy: Lithuanian (bishop’s jurisdiction extended only for Lithuania), and Latvia (ordinate Riga archbishopric manages the Catholic diocese of Latvia and served the Catholic diaspora throughout the USSR, with the exception of Belarus, where in 1989 there was an independent diocese of Minsk).

The relationship between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches have reached a new level after Vatican II (1962-1965). Vatican II made significant adjustments to the social doctrine and in ecumenical principles of the Roman Catholic Church, officially recognized Orthodox Church. This attitude allowed the Orthodox Church in 1980 to enter into a formal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

It was created Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

The relationship of the Catholic Church with the Moscow Patriarchate worsened in the early 90-ies of XX century. The main problems in the relations between the churches became Catholic proselytism in Russia and other CIS countries, as well as the conflict of the Orthodox and the Greek Catholics in western Ukraine.

Under the Catholic proselytism in the Moscow Patriarchate understand “the actions of the Roman Catholic Church, to involve in the liturgical and other church practices Russians have no historical connection with this church, but belonging to the Orthodox tradition for baptism and cultural roots “.

Another problem was the tension between the Orthodox and Greek Catholics in Ukraine. The defeat of the Uniates three dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate in Western Ukraine at the turn of 1980-1990-ies, the transfer of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from Lviv to Kiev, the insistence of the Church arrogate to itself the status of the Patriarchate, the spread of the mission of the UGCC in traditionally Orthodox lands of Eastern and Southern Ukraine support Uniates dissenters – all these factors have exacerbated the problem

For a discussion of these topics Joint working group on the Review of problematic situations was established in 2004, existing in relations between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches

The unresolved issues in relations between the two churches were the reason that the visit of Pope John Paul II in Russia, did not take place, as planned in 1997 in Graz (Austria), the Pope met with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II was canceled. In preliminary talks draft joint statement was prepared in 1997, which, inter alia, contained a refusal of the Uniate Church as a means of reuniting the churches and from the Catholic proselytism in Russia and other CIS countries. But at the last moment the top management of the Roman Catholic Church has decided to exclude these important points of the joint document. This deprived almost organized a meeting of all meaning.

The aggravation of the conflict between the two religions took place in 2002. The reason for it was the decision of Pope John Paul II to raise the status of administrative structures of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia to the level of dioceses. Unfriendly towards Russia’s demarche has caused a corresponding reaction of the state, the church and the public. There was a statement by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II and the Holy Synod, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, a number of influential non-governmental organizations, politicians, public and religious figures. Orthodox position was supported by representatives of other traditional religions of Russia.

It is still not removed the problem of the Union, which prevents the full normalization of relations between the two churches. The situation has worsened as a result of recent developments in Ukraine, in which the representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church took a direct part, speaking with the anti-Russian and Russophobic slogans.

The relationship with the Roman Catholic Church ROC building in accordance with the “Basic Principles of the Russian Orthodox church to Non-Orthodoxy “, in which the most important goal announced” restoring the God-commanded Christian unity (Jn. 17, 21), which is part of God’s design and belongs to the very essence of Christianity. It is a task of paramount importance for the Orthodox church at every level of her life. ”

In addition to the dialogue taking place under the mediation of the nunciature, direct contacts at the highest level between the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch and chairman of the Department for external church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Hilarion. Each year there are scheduled meetings on cultural exchange and student programs. Metropolitan Hilarion takes part in the most important events in the life of the Catholic Church.

Cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Culture, which brings Orthodox hierarchs participate.

In February 2015, based on agreements between the Department of External church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, headed by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity, headed by Cardinal Kurt Koch launched a working group (commission) on cultural cooperation. Thanks to her, there was the Orthodox-Catholic project “Light of Christ enlightens everyone.” The project is implemented with the beginning of the Catholic Church in December 2015 of an extraordinary “Jubilee Year.” – “Mercy of the Year”

5 February 2016 it became known that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill and Pope Francis meet in Cuba February 12th.

The material is based on information RIA Novosti and open source