POPE RECEIVES ECUMENICAL GROUP FROM GERMANY

VATICAN CITY, APR 3, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall the Holy Father received an ecumenical group of 40 Protestant and Catholic theologians from Germany, accompanied by Cardinal Karl Lehmann and by the co-president of the Evangelical Church, Bishop Hartmut Lowe.

Addressing them in their native language, the Pope said "the growing awareness of community in the Triune God has made it possible for various Christian denominations to no longer see each other as hostile or unfamiliar, but rather as brothers and sisters." He added that "the desire for unity accompanies us beyond the threshold of the Third Millennium." He also recalled the ecumenical celebrations during the Holy Year 2000, saying "we were able to see once again the incisive prophetic sign of ecumenism."

"It seems clear," added John Paul II, "that the love of truth must be the deepest dimension of a credible search for full communion of Christians. Without the love of truth it is impossible to overcome the theological and psychological difficulties."

"I see," he said in conclusion, "a sign of hope that you have chosen Rome as the place for your encounter: perhaps one day we will succeed in finding, through reciprocal and patient dialogue, a form in which the Petrine ministry can be realized by everyone as a service to truth and love."

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