Vatican City, Nov 26, 2007 / 08:59 am
Before adding new members to the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict held a meeting with its current members on the topic of ecumenism. With all of the cardinals gathered, the Pope introduced the theme he had chosen for the day's discussion, "ecumenical dialogue in the light of prayer and of the Lord's command: 'Ut unum sint' (That they may be one)."
Cardinal Walter Kasper then took the floor and provided a brief outline of the state of ecumenical relations dividing them into three main areas: “relations with the ancient Churches of the East; relations with the ecclesial communities that came into being in the wake of the Reformation; and lastly relations with the charismatic and Pentecostal movements that developed above all during last century."
Cardinal Kasper, who is the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, also presented "the results achieved in each of these fields, describing progress made to date and problems still outstanding."
After the results of recent ecumenical efforts were presented, the cardinals held an open discussion about the numerous situations that they have encountered and took care to discuss problems that they have run up against. Among these difficulties were: “the joint ecumenical commitment of Christians in the social and charitable fields,” and the defense of “moral values in the transformation of modern societies.”