Orthodox Bishop sounds same warning as Holy Father

When last the Eastern and Western Churches faced a common foe, the results were less than efficacious. Political intrigue led to the severing of ties and an estrangement that continues to this day.

Thanks to mass communication and the realities of history in the twentieth century, there is a glimmer of hope that the two side may now more readily come together to fight the current foes, morally relativistic political movements and the remnants of the "Enlightenment".

May. 18, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Russian Orthodox prelate, speaking at a meeting of European religious leaders, has said that European leaders should work to eradicate anti-Christian bias, as well as hostility toward other faiths.

"European leaders, while opposing anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other phobias, often forget about the numerous occasions of Christianophobia and anti-Christian acts," said Bishop Hilarion of Vienna.

The Orthodox bishop went on to stress the same argument that Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have made: that European unity depends on its Christian heritage. "Throwing away Europe’s Christian roots is unacceptable, having more than a historical significance," Bishop Hilarion said. "It is a matter of the spiritual and moral identity of Europe.”

Hat tip to Catholic World News.