AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PATRIARCH ALEKSEY II

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 000619

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2018
TAGS: PREL KIRF PINR KHIV RS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PATRIARCH ALEKSEY II

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns for reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) Summary: On March 4, the Ambassador met with the
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Aleksey II. The
Patriarch discussed the relations between the Orthodox Church
and the government, and its growing social role. The
Patriarch spoke of cooperative relations among the four
"traditional religions" in Russia and the more strained
relations between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic
Church. Aleksey downplayed incidents of xenophobia and
ethnic violence. End Summary.

Church-State Relations
--------------


2. (C) In a March 4 meeting with the Ambassador, Aleksey II,
the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC),noted
that the church was continuing to grow and was successful in
reaching out to new generations of Russians. He said that
the ROC had a growing role in education and health care, and
that even though the church and state were separate, their
cooperation on social issues was beneficial for the Russian
people.


3. (C) Aleksey characterized the church's relationship with
President Putin as strong, and that he thought that
relationship would continue with Medvedev. He recounted his
visit with Putin to the Butovskiy cemetery outside Moscow,
where the Soviet government during the Stalin era executed
more than 26,000 people, many of them affiliated with the
church. "The visit made a very strong impression on the
President - to hear about such a crime is one thing, but to
be there and see the graves is another. It is very important
that we never forget what was done," said Aleksey.

The Church's Role in Health Care
--------------


4. (C) The ROC is taking a greater role in health care,
"approaching the body from both sides - physical and
spiritural." Aleksey said that the ROC is expanding its work
on HIV/AIDS, which he described as "a serious problem, but
not the catastrophe that it is in Africa." He said that this
problem required medical and spiritual attention, and he
attributed the spread of the disease primarily to drug users
and "moral degradation." Aleksey welcomed cooperation
between the U.S. and Russia in combating HIV/AIDS, both in
Russia and in other places around the world.

Interfaith Relations
--------------


5. (C) The Patriarch noted that relations among the four
"traditional faiths" (Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, and
Buddhism) were very strong and based upon mutual respect.
The Interfaith Council, founded in 1998, provided the forum
for continued discussion and cooperation.


6. (C) Relations with the Roman Catholic Church, however,
were still troubled. Aleksey noted that he had not yet met
with Pope Benedict XVI, but "I hope that even at my advanced
age I will be able to meet with him." Aleksey said that the
major point of disagreement between the Orthodox and Catholic
churches was over proselytization. He said that the first
meeting between him and the Pope "should not be for the
cameras, but should be substantive, based on extensive
preparation, and result in an agreement that condemns
proselytizing among our followers." He said that the ROC had
no problems with the Catholic Church taking care of its
people who happen to live in Russia, but that proselytization
was "intolerable."


7. (C) Aleksey continued that the Orthodox-Catholic agreement
should promote "Christian values" such as the sanctity of
marriage and the primacy of the family, which were both
morally right and an antidote for the demographic crises
faced by Russia and the rest of Europe. Aleksey condemned
the "Gay Parade" held in Moscow last year, and asserted that
it was the role of the church to explain that homosexuality,
like kleptomania, was deviant behavior.

Xenophobia and Ethnic Violence
--------------


8. (C) Aleksey downplayed incidents of xenophobia and ethnic
violence in Russia, saying that Russia "is doing everything
possible" not to discriminate on skin color or ethnicity. He
pointed to the multi-national composition of the Russian
population that was evident on the streets and in the
universities. He said that the church was concerned about
hate crimes, but noted that it was also concerned about the

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many murders - regardless of ethnicity - committed for any
motive. (Aleksey's comments come against the background of 36
members of ethnic minorities killed in nationalist
hate-crimes since January 1, according to human rights
activists.)

Bio Notes
--------------


9. (C) The Patriarch, who turned 79 last month, appeared to
be steady and strong, and in better health than he has been
in the past three years.
BURNS