SMALL STEPS, NOT GIANT LEAPS, IN CATHOLIC-RUSSIAN ORTHODOX

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000100 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/25/2034 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF RS VT SUBJECT: SMALL STEPS, NOT GIANT LEAPS, IN CATHOLIC-RUSSIAN ORTHODOX RELATIONS CLASSIFIED BY: Julieta Valls Noyes, DCM, EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The visit of a high-ranking Russian Orthodox leader to Rome last week signaled some improvement in Catholic-Orthodox relations, and more progress is likely at a conference between leaders of both faiths in Cyprus in October. Nevertheless, Cardinal Kasper predicts that a meeting between Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Pope Benedict is unlikely to take place within the next two years, due to internal tensions within the Orthodox world. End summary. ¶2. (U) Italian and Catholic media seized on the September 16 to 20 visit of Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion, Patriarch Kirill's Head of External Relations, to Rome as proof that a Papal visit to Russia was imminent. The agenda for Hilarion's visit included preparations for a larger conference between Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox leaders to occur in Cyprus in October. He also discussed the situation of Russian Orthodox clergy in Rome. ¶3. (U) Archbishop Hilarion met with the Pope at his summer residence on September 18, and with Cardinal Kasper, the head of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Vatican's main authority on relations with the Orthodox, on September 17. The Vatican did not release any press statements after the meetings. Cardinal Kasper told Vatican radio that he had "a very calm conversation" with Hilarion. He added that tensions over the status and evangelizing activities of the Roman Catholic Church in the Moscow Patriarchate had been largely overcome. Kasper's assertion seemed to be borne out by the fact that Moscow press statements from the Russian Orthodox Church after the visit did not, for the first time, make reference to this previous grievance. ¶4. (C) Despite this progress in relations, Cardinal Kasper told Ambassador Diaz on September 15 that Pope Benedict XVI had told him not to press for a meeting with Patriarch Kirill at this time. Instead, he said, his priority was to continue to work for further rapprochement between the churches. Kirill has limited influence over the ultra-conservative charismatic leaders of Orthodox monastic communities. Another challenge for Kirill, Kasper said, is to remain on good terms with the Kremlin, which sees the Patriarchate as a manifestation of Russian culture and influence. ¶5. (C) Comment: The visit of Archbishop Hilarion was significant but not groundbreaking for Orthodox-Catholic relations. Although both sides profess to seek the unification of Eastern and Western Christianity, that remains a long-distant goal. But there has been progress, and Kirill is a potential ally. The Vatican chose not to press for a Kirill-Benedict XVI meeting, in order to avoid damaging Kirill's influence in Russia. Instead, the Vatican hopes to finally overcome Orthodox suspicions that Catholics are stealing their flock, and to promote collaboration in areas like social justice, the environment, and asserting Christian values in the face of growing secularization in Europe. End comment. DIAZ