Monday, January 17, 2005

HOLY FATHER WELCOMES ECUMENICAL DELEGATION FROM FINLAND


VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2005 (VIS) - An ecumenical delegation from Finland, in Rome on the occasion of the feast of Finland's patron, St. Henrik, was welcomed to the Vatican today by Pope John Paul who recalled the many visits of the Finnish ecumenical delegation in past years.

  "Let us give thanks," the Pope told his guests, "for the warm relations between the Catholic Church, the Finnish Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Over the years our dialogue has been strengthened by mutual visits, shared prayers and, in a particular way, by the Joint Declaration on Justification. All this is evidence of the significant progress we have made in the search for full unity among Christians." 

  "As the people of Finland together celebrate 850 years of Christianity," the Holy Father concluded, "I encourage you to build on the Christian roots of Europe, so vital for the future of this continent."
AC/ECUMENICAL DELEGATION/FINLAND            VIS 20050117 (160)


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