NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- A Vatican delegation represented Pope John Paul II today at ceremonies in Istanbul, Turkey, as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I-- the acknowledged leader of the Orthodox world-- celebrated the feast of St. Andrew, the patron of the Eastern churches.

      The Vatican delegation was led by Msgr. Pierre Duprey, the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. The president of that Council, Cardinal Edward Cassidy, could not make the trip to Turkey because of his participation in the special Synod for Oceania.

      The Vatican envoys delivered a message to Patriarch Bartholomew from the Holy Father, who spoke of "the pressing urgency of overcoming the differences and difficulties which prevent us from achieving full communion."

      For several years, the Vatican and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople have exchanged delegates, with representatives from the Holy See participating in the ceremonies for the feast of St. Andrew, while Orthodox representatives travel to Rome for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.