Priest Hopeful for Orthodox Reunification

CATHOLIC NEAR EAST, Nov.—In an essay on the history of the division between Orthodox and Catholics, Maronite Chorbishop John Faris closed with this hopeful reflection on the future of ecumenism:

“Hopefully, just as the Orthodox and Catholic churches one day realized that they had gradually parted ways at the beginning of the second millennium, so too will they discover blessed unity has reappeared among them at the beginning of the third millennium.

“We must be patient. After all, Catholics entered the arena of ecumenism only 35 years ago in an attempt to heal 1,000 years of estrangement. It is a paradox that the successor of Peter, declared to be the greatest obstacle to ecumenism [by Pope Paul VI], is perhaps the key figure in the Church of Christ with the necessary authority and resources to effect such a radical change in the unity of Christians.”

Pope To Visit Kazakhstan in 2000?

ITAR-TASS, Nov. 29—Kazakhstan, President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced Nov. 28 that Pope John Paul II will visit his country in the year 2000, the Russian news service reported. No more details or specific dates were given in the report.

A possible trip to Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, would mark a significant step for ecumenism following the Pope's previous trips this year to Rumania and Georgia, ITAR-Tass reported. The Vatican has neither confirmed nor denied the announcement.

Kazakhstan, has a total population of 16 million, including approximately 45% Russian Orthodox and 50% Muslims. Christians make up fewer than 5% of the population.