Department for External Church Relations
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Metropolitan Hilarion congratulates Bishop Kurt Koch on his appointment as president of Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
In a letter to the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Bishop Kurt Koch, DECR chairman Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk congratulated him on his appointment to this important post. Below is the text of the congratulatory letter.
Your Grace,
I cordially congratulate you on your appointment to the important post of president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
For many years I have known you as a zealous pastor and serious theologian committed to the tradition of the Early Church and the idea of Christian unity. I am confident that your pastoral ministry in Switzerland as one of the centers of inter-Christian dialogue and international diplomacy will help you to fulfill your new duties. For a number of years you have participated in the work of the Swiss Council of Religions and I believe the rich experience you have accumulated in this area will contribute to the successful development of the work carried out by the Pontifical Council to which you have appointed as president.
This year the Pontifical Council marks its 50th anniversary. For half a century which has elapsed since its establishment by Pope John Paul XXIII the Council has played an important role in defining ways of dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian Churches and communities. Thanks in no small degree to your predecessors as presidents of the Council, constructive relations have been developed between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
The Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations has always maintained close cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. I hope that new prospects for cooperation have been opened for us for the benefit of the both Churches.
I wish you peace, good health and God’s help in your new service.
With love in the Lord,
+ Hilarion
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate
Patriarch
Department Chairman
Sermons
24.01.2021
06.11.2020