Catholic leaders always appreciate proposals for dialogue, cooperation, says Apostolic Nuncio to Russia.

Moscow, Russia, Apr 18, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Holy See’s official representative in Moscow, recently answered questions from the Interfax news agency on the state of the Catholic Church in Russia. He affirmed that “the current Russian legislation provides a real opportunity for the communities and structures of the [Russian Church] to exist normally and to develop.”

The Nuncio also addressed the next World Summit of Religious Leaders to be held in Moscow saying “It was with great and well-deserved interest that the Holy Sea responded to the Russian Orthodox Church's initiative to convene a World Summit of Religious Leaders early this July.”

Referring to the event, Archbishop insisted that “Catholic Church leaders have always appreciated proposals for dialogue and cooperation in overcoming the major problems of humanity today. There will be a high-level representation,” at the event, he said.

The Nuncio said that another important concern is religious freedom in Russia. “I am delighted to testify that the current Russian legislation provides for a real opportunity for the communities and structures of the Catholic Church in Russia to exist normally and to develop,” he said.

“My experience of the present Russian reality allows me to hope that the Catholic communities may, together with other Christians, bear witness to the truth before the world which needs it more than ever,” Archbishop Mennini continued.
 
Finally, he was asked about the controversy of the Da Vinci Code movie. He stated that “this is exactly a clear case of search for a false sensation, already mentioned, aimed against the Church and Christianity to discredit them.”