Rome, Italy, Jun 25, 2010 / 14:07 pm
Cardinal Walter Kasper, at 77 years old, is wrapping up his tenure as the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. On Friday, he reflected on his years in the position and the importance of dialogue to the life of the Church.
“I have come to the end of my service," the cardinal told reporters in a press conference from the council's offices near the Vatican, during which, according to excerpts of his address printed by the Italian bishops' SIR news, he recalled his 11 years at the helm as not only demanding, but "riveting."
As president of the dicastery he has been responsible for promoting dialogue between the Universal Church and other Christian denominations, in addition he has dedicated himself to building inter-religious relations particularly between Catholics, Jews and Muslims.
Commenting on the current state of ecumenical and inter-religious relations, he said that personal relations of respect, esteem, confidence and friendship are vital to successful dialogue.