● JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ CONCERNING THE MEETING BETWEEN THE HOLY FATHER AND THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

Questo pomeriggio, al termine della visita di cortesia del Santo Padre Benedetto XVI all’Arcivescovo di Canterbury Sua Grazia Dr. Rowan Williams a Lambeth Palace, è stato rilasciato il seguente comunicato congiunto:

Fifty years after the first meeting of a Pope and an Archbishop of Canterbury in modern times – that of Pope John XXIII and Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher, in December 1960 – Pope Benedict XVI paid a fraternal visit to Archbishop Rowan Williams.

In the first part of their meeting they both addressed the Anglican and Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales, in the Great Hall of the Archbishop’s Library, before moving to a private meeting.

In the course of their private conversation, they addressed many of the issues of mutual concern to Anglicans and Roman Catholics. They affirmed the need to proclaim the Gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ, both in a reasoned and convincing way in the contemporary context of profound cultural and social transformation, and in lives of holiness and transparency to God. They agreed on the importance of improving ecumenical relations and continuing theological dialogue in the face of new challenges to unity from within the Christian community and beyond it.

The Holy Father and the Archbishop reaffirmed the importance of continuing theological dialogue on the notion of the Church as communion, local and universal, and the implications of this concept for the discernment of ethical teaching.

They reflected together on the serious and difficult situation of Christians in the Middle East, and called upon all Christians to pray for their brothers and sisters and support their continued peaceful witness in the Holy Land. In the light of their recent public interventions, they also discussed the need to promote a courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace, especially the needs of the poor, urging international leadership to fight hunger and disease.

Following their meeting they travelled together to the Palace of Westminster and to Evening Prayer at Westminster Abbey.

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Questa sera, presso la Lancaster House d Londra, si è svolto un ricevimento ufficiale offerto dal Governo di Sua Maestà, alla presenza del Ministro degli Esteri, On. William Hauge, di alti funzionari dell’Esecutivo, dei Vescovi britannici e di altri esponenti della cultura anglicana e cattolica. Al ricevimento hanno preso parte il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Tarcisio Bertone; S,.E. Mons. Fernando Filoni, Sostituto della Segreteria di Stato; S.E. Mons. Dominique Mamberti, Segretario per i Rapporti con gli Stati e gli altri componenti del Seguito Papale.

Her Majesty’s Government hosted a dinner on 17 September for the Holy See delegation accompanying Pope Benedict XVI on his official visit to the UK, headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, H.E. Cardinal Bertone. The U.K. side was headed by the Foreign Secretary – the Rt. Hon. William Hague, M.P. Those present included a number of senior British Government Ministers and senior officials from the Holy See. The discussion covered a range of areas of shared interest between the U.K. Government and the Holy See.

Her Majesty’s Government and the Holy See share a commitment to bringing an end to poverty and underdevelopment. On the eve of a summit in New York to review progress towards implementing the Millennium Development Goals, they share the conviction that more needs to be done to address the unnecessary suffering caused by hunger, diseases and illiteracy. Strong political leadership and respect for the ethos of local communities are necessary in the promotion of the right to life, food, health and development for all.

The British Government and the Holy See share a conviction of the urgent need for action to address the challenge of climate change. Action is needed at every level from the governmental to the individual if we are to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to set in motion the transition to a global low-carbon economy, and to assist poor and vulnerable countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already inevitable.

We had a good exchange of views on a variety of social and economic issues, recognising the essential role played by faith in the lives of individuals and as part of the fabric of a strong, generous, tolerant society.

The visit of Pope Benedict XVI provided the opportunity to develop a deeper exchange of views between the Holy See and the U.K. Government. Tonight’s discussion provided a useful basis for both sides to continue to pursue initiatives and discussions on areas of common interest to the UK and the Holy See.

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