Belgium: Russian Orthodox delegation meets Pax Christi

Report from Pax Christi International A delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church held a series of meetings with Pax Christi International in Antwerp last week. The groups first met in 1974, their last meeting taking place in 1990. Pax Christi International was led by Cardinal Danneels of Mechelen-Brussels. The Russian Orthodox church was represented by Archbishop Longin of Klin. Throughout the week, they discussed the role and responsibilities of Churches in solving regional conflicts. They examined the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and Pax Christi International in the light of the new social doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church; the policy of Pax Christi International concerning regional conflicts in Europe. Following the meeting, both delegations met with representatives of NATO, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the Commission of the Bishop's Conferences of the European Community. A spokesman said that while both delegations accepted that there were tensions between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, they expressed their wishes and hope to continue the process of consultation and co-operation in an open and constructive way.