RUSSIA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONSIDER KIRILL A

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000295 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL RS SOCI SUBJECT: RUSSIA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONSIDER KIRILL A UNIFYING FORCE REF: MOSCOW 00250 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. At a February 4 ecumenical lunch hosted by Ambassador and Appeal of Conscience Foundation Director Rabbi Arthur Schneier, high level officials in Russia's Orthodox (ROC),Muslim, Protestant, and Jewish communities gathered to discuss religious freedom in Russia and honor Patriarch Kirill's enthronement. Schneier called on Russia's religious community to accept (and not simply tolerate) one another and characterized Kirill as a leading advocate for acceptance. Protestant leaders asserted that Kirill represented a unifying figure in Russia's religious community, as evidenced by a letter of Christian solidarity that Kirill circulated two days before his election. In a private exchange with Ambassador Beyrle on February 2, Patriarch Kirill expressed his hope that a stronger, more unified ROC could play a key role in helping to improve U.S.-Russian relations. End Summary. Religious Gathering Highly Attended -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador hosted an ecumenical lunch at Spaso House on February 4 in honor of the enthronement of Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC),and the related visit of Appeal of Conscience Foundation Director Rabbi Arthur Schneier. Fifteen religious leaders and government officials attended the event, including Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, Grand Mufti of Russia Ravil Gaynutdin, ROC Acting Director for External Relations Bishop Mark, competing Chief Rabbis of Russia Beryl Lazar (Chabad Lubavitch) and Adolf Shayevich (Moscow Jewish Community), Archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church Yezras Nersissian, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and Shayevich ally Pinchas Goldschmidt, Russian Evangelical Union of Baptists' (REUB) Director of External Relations Vitaliy Vlasenko, and Public Chamber member, Pentecostal Reverend, and Chairman of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians Sergey Ryakhovskiy. Two invited members of Russia's Catholic community, Vatican Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Mennini and Archbishop to Moscow Paolo Pezzi, did not attend. Ambassador welcomed the community of religious leaders to discuss matters of religious freedom, after which Schneier called on Russia's religious leaders not to simply tolerate other religions, but to accept them as equals. Kirill's Positive Influence on Religious Acceptance -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Several religious leaders shared their thoughts on the importance of Patriarch Kirill's election as the new leader of the ROC. Rabbi Schneier and Ambassador congratulated Bishop Mark on Kirill's ascension to the throne as the new Patriarch of the ROC, a moment of particular importance to Schneier because of his personal friendship with Kirill. Reverend Ryakhovskiy pointed to Kirill's acceptance of all Christians in Russia, telling the group that Kirill circulated a letter of solidarity with Christians only two days before his election, a clear sign that Kirill would take chances and steadfastly support Christian groups despite deep-seated bias within the ROC and Russian government against them. Bishop Mark stressed Kirill's support in the ROC, noting that Kirill received over 70% of the votes from all delegates, and two-thirds of the votes from the clergy. Rabbi Shayevich praised Kirill for his charisma, and felt that Kirill could help restore a greater sense of national pride in Russia. Kirill Sees Stronger ROC as a Good Bilateral Partner -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Separately, at the February 2 Kremlin reception, the Ambassador spoke with Kirill to offer good wishes on taking up the responsibilities of Patriarch. Kirill expressed his desire to make the ROC stronger and to intensify efforts to reach out to sister Orthodox churches. Kirill emphasized the importance of good U.S.-Russian relations, and said that he hoped the ROC could play its role in strengthening the bilateral partnership. Anti-American Sentiment Stronger Now Than in Soviet Times -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In response to Rabbi Schneier's concerns about anti-Americanism in Russia, Lukin responded that Russians viewed the U.S. more negatively now than they did in Soviet times. Lukin provided a list of issues that had complicated U.S.-Russia relations, including missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic, NATO's courting of Ukraine and Georgia, and the August conflict over South Ossetia (reftel). However, Lukin noted that to be fair, Russia must take a good look at itself before simply finding mistakes with other countries. While many Russians are disappointed with the current state of bilateral relations, Lukin believed that President Obama's initial statements regarding missile defense are the first signs of a better relationship, potentially leading to a cooling of tempers. ¶6. (SBU) Several guests suggested increasing educational exchanges for religious leaders as a way to improve understanding of the American way of life. Ryakhovskiy recalled the experience of his father as the head of the underground Pentecostal Church in Soviet times when Protestants were considered spies and the "fifth column" of the United States. He claimed that Russians have moved past their Cold War stereotypes, while Americans still cling to beliefs that Russians are connected to the KGB, a hurdle to better mutual understanding. Bishop Mark explained that most Russians see Americans as "very pragmatic," placing too much value in material possessions, money, and work as opposed to more spiritual issues. He suggested that the U.S. should focus on making gestures to explain the ideals of the United States to ordinary people as a way to combat anti-Americanism. ¶7. (SBU) Rabbi Schneier said that greater exposure of young religious scholars and practicing clergy from all faiths would give them a taste of life in the U.S. Vitaliy Vlasenko from the REUB advocated for more journalist exchanges as a way to accentuate the positive aspects of the United States, and even proposed that Secretary of State Clinton could visit his Baptist church in Moscow as a sign of interest in promoting religious acceptance (Note: Vlasenko highlighted President Nixon's visit to a Baptist Church in Moscow during his presidential visit. End Note). Ambassador agreed about the importance of visitor programs, and mentioned that U.S. embassies and consulates in Russia issued 170,000 visas in 2008, an all-time high. GOR Acceptance of Religious Groups Improved Under Luzhkov -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Rabbi Schneier lauded Mayor Luzhkov for his efforts to provide equal worship space to religious groups in Moscow. Schneier singled out Luzhkov's assistance to the ROC in building cathedrals, his initiative to help the Moscow Choral Synagogue reclaim an adjoining building, and his current project to aid the Armenian Apostolic Church build a new house of worship. Mufti Gaynutdin added that Luzhkov made arrangements for a new mosque near several other religious buildings by the Olympic Sports Complex, creating a kind of "holy quarter" in the city. Interfaith Council Civil, Even If Not Always in Agreement -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The religious leaders agreed that Interfaith Council discussions have been constructive, despite differences of opinion between different leaders. Gaynutdin responded to Schneier's inquiry about current Council initiatives, saying that discussions focused on tax legislation for religious groups, education regulations, and the defense of each organization's right to worship. He also called the Council an important instrument for building mutual respect, trust, and cooperation between faiths as they tackled tough questions such as religious unity and terrorism. Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Nersissian and Bishop Mark agreed that followers of all religions must live together in harmony, with Nersissian identifying unity of the Russian "Motherland" as important for Russian believers, despite Russia's multi-ethnic, multi-religious composition. Shayevich said that Council members are not afraid to express their opinions to one another, one example that a meaningful dialogue existed. Comment -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The religious community support for Kirill as a potentially unifying religious figure creates new opportunities for religious freedom in Russia, but only if religious leaders of varying faiths can put down old differences. The Russian Orthodox Church's aim to teach Orthodox culture in government schools will continue to provoke non-Orthodox believers, with Kirill a proponent of standardized Orthodox education. BEYRLE