New Catholic Archbishop of Moscow Pledges Cooperation with Orthodox

From Catholic World News:

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II welcomed a new leader for Moscow's Catholic archdiocese on October 28, with a message hoping for "an early resolution of the problems" between the Orthodox and Catholic communities.

Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, the new head of the Mother of God Archdiocese in Moscow, was consecrated at a ceremony attended by over 1,500 people, including a delegation of Orthodox clerics led by Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, who delivered the message from Patriarch Alexei. In his own remarks, the new Catholic archbishop acknowledged the frequent complaints raised by the Moscow patriarchate about "proselytism" by Catholics in Russia. Drawing a distinction between energetic evangelization of the unchurched and "sheep-stealing" raids on other congregations, Archbishop Pezzi told the Interfax news service that "proselytism starts at the point where real mission ends." As long as both Catholics and Protestants are concerned primarily with genuine evangelization, he said, "we can develop good understanding and pursue unity, as there will be no place left for conflicts."

The outgoing Catholic leader in Moscow, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, presided at the installation of his successor. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, who is taking up a new post as head of the Archdiocese of Minsk, Belarus, admitted that he was disappointed he had not been able "to establish better relations with the Russian Orthodox Church" during his time in Moscow.
"I have never promoted any proselytizing activities," Archbishop Kondrusiewicz insisted. Nevertheless he voiced his regret for the lack of progress in ecumenical ties, and said, "I wish that the new archbishop may do more in this area."

Officials of the Moscow patriarchate have indicated that they are pleased with the appointment of Archbishop Pezzi, and the new Catholic leader justified their reaction in an extended interview with the Interfax service, saying that he would support efforts to introduce Orthodox religious instruction to the Russian schools and Orthodox chaplains in the military.