Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II met Cardinal Walter Kasper in Moscow

Head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper, presented a message by Pope of Rome Benedict XVI to Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II on Thursday. He told the Patriarch he was glad to meet him and to hand over the Pontiff's message. The cardinal also voiced hope that the meeting would promote further contacts between the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. "The Orthodox-Catholic dialogue is necessary," Alexy II said. The two Churches have similar positions on many modern problems, among them morals, social and family relations, human rights and bio-ethics.

"Our dialogue must lead to the Orthodox-Catholic interaction in the defense of traditional Christian values in the secular world," the Patriarch said. Kasper said he had visited several dioceses and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church during his unofficial visit to Russia. Chairman of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Cardinal Walter Casper celebrated a mess in the Moscow Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday. The cardinal reminded that in his address the pope "expressed big hope for peaceful and safe development of this great country (Russia - IF).

Sources: www.mospat.ru и www.interfax-religion.com