VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of the Letter which John Paul II addressed to His Beatitude Volodymyr, metropolitan of Kiev and of all Ukraine, on March 26. The document was personally delivered by Cardinal Roberto Tucci on April 7, to the metropolitan's residence in Pecherska Lavra.
John Paul II writes: "As Supreme Pastor of the Catholic Church, I will be able, finally, after repeated invitations, to respond to a lively desire of Ukrainian Catholics, very numerous and well-rooted in the country, meeting them and confirming them in faith in Jesus Christ our one Lord."
"My upcoming visit," the Pope continues, "also wishes to demonstrate a constant and respectful attention towards our Orthodox brothers, together with the determined commitment to continue to travel the way of dialogue in truth and charity. A sign of this profound intention, determined to overcome every possible problem arisen between us, is the Joint Commission of members of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - which includes two representatives from the patriarchate of Moscow and two from the Holy See - recently established to meet the desire of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II to examine the relations between Catholics and Orthodox in the western Ukraine. It is my fervent hope that this Commission begin its work as soon as possible."
The Pope concludes the Letter: "In order to emphasize this yearning for unity, ... I would strongly desire, on the occasion of my trip, to also meet you, Respected Brother, and to show you personally, with a fraternal embrace, the love which I hold for you and for all the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."
JPII-LETTER;TRIP UKRAINE;...;VOLODYMYR;VIS;20010426;Word: 300;
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