Rome, Nov. 27, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Russian Orthodox Church has criticized Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, for the cardinal's reported statements about the prospects for a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Patriarch Alexei II.
In a briefing for members of the College of Cardinals-- who gathered in Rome last week for a discussion of ecumenical affairs prior to the November 24 consistory--- Cardinal Kasper mentioned the possibility that a "summit meeting" could be arranged in the future. Reports about the cardinal's remarks reached the Italian media, and prompted an annoyed reply from Moscow, Vatican Radio reports.
Russian Orthodox officials said that relations between the two churches should be conducted through normal channels, rather than through the mass media. The officials added that there are no plans for a meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch in the near future.