Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis to Meet in Cuba in Historic Move of the Holy Spirit

This historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Krill is a kick in the gut of the devil, who has welcomed the divisions among Christians because they have weakened the Body of Christ.

This meeting of the Primates of the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, after a long preparation, will be the first in history and will mark an important stage in relations between the two Churches. The Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate hope that it will also be a sign of hope for all people of good will. They invite all Christians to pray fervently for God to bless this meeting, that it may bear good fruits. (Joint Press release). I ask everyone reading this report, no matter what your confessional Christian identification, to pray for this historic meeting between these two successors of the apostles.

CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) -  In 1054 A.D., the first formal division within what had previously been an undivided Christian Church occurred. The theological and doctrinal issues are substantive and the continuing divisions which followed are tragic. For nearly a thousand years, the prayer of Jesus has cried out to the Father - and reached out to summon all who bear the name Christian. It has beckoned all Christians to humble repentance, fervent prayer, and inspired action to bridge the division and help to heal the wounds:

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:20, 21)

One of a growing number of signs of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Third Christian Millennium has been the rediscovery between Orthodox and Catholic Christians of our common Baptismal bond as making us truly brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, called in common mission. I believe that the Holy Spirit is gathering a movement of Orthodox and Catholic Christians to collaborate in this critical hour. I have written, spoken and acted to further this work and I am eager to do everything I can going forward.

There is growing recognition in both the Orthodox and Catholic churches that there is more that joins theologically faithful Catholic Christians and theologically faithful Orthodox Christians than that which still separates us. The urgency of the cultural decline of this age has compelled our collaboration in Jesus Christ. So too has the heartfelt humility of the leaders in both churches who have walked the fruitful way of repentance and forgiveness. It is leading us to a growing mutual respect which will pave the way toward some form of restored full communion between these sister churches.

However, there has been no formal meeting between the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, and the Patriarch of all of Russia, in almost one thousand years. That sad fact is soon to be erased from the history books, as the Holy Spirit writes a new chapter in the loving plan of God for the Church of His Son Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the world which He still loves. On February 5, 2015, an historic joint statement was released:

"The Holy See and the patriarchate of Moscow are pleased to announce that, by the grace of God, His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirilll of Moscow and All Russia will meet on February 12th next. Their meeting will take place in Cuba, where the Pope will make a stop on his way to Mexico, and where the Patriarch will be on an official visit. It will include a personal conversation at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, and will conclude with the signing of a joint declaration."

"This meeting of the Primates of the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, after a long preparation, will be the first in history and will mark an important stage in relations between the two Churches. The Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate hope that it will also be a sign of hope for all people of good will. They invite all Christians to pray fervently for God to bless this meeting, that it may bear good fruits". 

I welcomed the selection of Patriarch Kirill as the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in 2009. It was the first election of a Patriarch since the fall of the atheist Communist regime which governed the former Soviet Union for many years. Along with millions the world over, I hoped it was a sign of the revitalization of the ancient Christian faith in this critical time in history.

Patriarch Kirill is theologically and doctrinally solid as a Christian leader. He is said to be a man of deep faith and courage by many whom I trust. He is a champion of the authentic Orthodox Christian Tradition and a stalwart defender of the doctrine of the ancient Christian Faith of the First Millennium - before the first split in the Church occurred. He is outspoken in his concern over the moral decline in Russian, European and broader western culture. He is also dedicated to doing something about it - leading a resurgence of authentic Christianity and a new missionary undertaking to the Russian culture and beyond.

In an insightful analysis written for Catholic Online shortly after the Patriarchs enthronement entitled Patriarch Kirill & Pope Benedict: A Tale of Two Leaders for a new Missionary Age Orthodox priest Fr Johannes L. Jacobse, the editor of Orthodoxy Today and President of the American Orthodox Institute opined, "Patriarch Kirill is a theological conservative in the mold of Pope Benedict. Both see religion as the wellspring of culture. Both understand that Europe cannot escape a final capitulation to tyranny if it does not rediscover its Christian roots."

Since his enthronement, Patriarch Kirill has offered his voice of clarity and authority to the growing Catholic and Orthodox critique of the decline of moral values and the hostility of the contemporary culture toward the Christian Church. He openly decries the growing rejection of Christian influence throughout the world. He warns of the dangers that such a rejection present to civilization and authentic freedom. He has repeatedly called upon Orthodox Christians to be actively involved in reclaiming the culture with the values informed by the ancient Christian faith.

Shortly after his selection, the Patriarch noted that, "in the Vatican and not only in the Vatican but all over the world, Catholics understand that Orthodox (people) are their allies. And Orthodox (people) are more and more coming to understand that Catholics are their allies in the face of hostile and non-religious secularism."

His first message to the Christian faithful - and to the world, as millions watched by television and internet - emphasized his commitment to reaching out to the young, his dedication to working with those whom he called the "sister churches" and his strong intention to combat "moral relativism".  The elements of that message echoed much in the mission of now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. 

Back then, polls in Russia indicated that only 5 percent of Russians were observant in the practice of their Orthodox Christian faith when the Patriarch was enthroned. Less than 30 percent expressed their commitment to following the moral teaching of the Church. That has changed significantly as a revival of Orthodox Christianity in the Nation has begun. What a difference one Christian leader can make.

The Patriarchs' call for exposing moral disintegration and remedying its effects on Russian culture through a resurgence of the faith shows how much the Patriarch shared with his brother, now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The growing resurgence of the Orthodox faith in Russia and beyond since that historic day indicate that his apostolic work is bearing fruit.

Patriarch Kirill has faced opposition within the Orthodox Church for his ongoing dialogue with the Catholic Church. However, he has showed no sign of retreat, particularly in joint efforts aimed at stemming the growing spread of the culture of death and the sordid fruit of moral relativism. Before he was elevated to the Patriarchate, he was responsible for dialogue with the Holy See. he has continued that dialogue.

Pope Benedict XVI sent an especially meaningful gift to the new Patriarch when he was enthroned, a chalice with which he now regularly consecrates the blood of Christ. He expressed his hope in these words, "It is my earnest hope that we will continue to cooperate in finding ways to foster and strengthen communion in the body of Christ in fidelity to our savior's prayer that all may be one so that the world may believe".

Asia news reported that between 40,000 and 65,000 of the lay faithful and Orthodox priests gathered in Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow for a day of Prayer on April 22, 2012 at the request of the Patriarch. He led the historic event.  His call for this day of prayer, as well as the response of the Orthodox faithful, reflected Patriarch Kirill's growing influence in Russia. 

Asia news also interviewed Olga Golubeva, 54, a lawyer, who participated in the procession and prayer gathering. She said, "I came here because there is a risk that Russia will return to its past without God," Another participant, Alexei Makarkin, an analyst with the Center for political technologies in Moscow told them, "The Church needs this kind of events to prove it has more supporters than detractors - but also to consolidate the support of clergy and faithful."

Patriarch Kirill has a genuine respect for the Catholic Church. He sees the Orthodox and Catholic Churches as sister churches. That is also the term used in Catholic theology. This is a welcome sign of the work of the Holy Spirit. This meeting in Cuba is historic and cannot be underestimated in terms of its spiritual significance. It has been disclosed that one of the topics which the two Christian leaders will discuss in Cuba is the growing persecution of Christians around the globe. Further, it is reported that they intend to sign a joint document. 

Metropolitan Hilarion, a highly respected Orthodox theologian and leader, and the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations (DECR), indicated to Inside the Vatican that this upcoming meeting in Cuba was accelerated because of what he called the "Christian genocide" of the hour. He also said that what is happening is "causing concern" to both Churches and that the two leaders simply "had to meet".

We are living in an age of growing persecution against faithful Christians, across the confessional spectrum.  This is also a new missionary age, with great similarities to the first few centuries of Christian history. In the  Second Century, Tertullian proclaimed that the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church. The persecution we are beginning to experience is most clearly evident in the barbaric actions of the evil jihadists who call themselves the Islamic State.

The bloody pogrom unleashed by ISIS and their allies against faithful Christians is spreading. The victims are our brothers and sisters. We are joined to them in the bond of Baptism and their blood cries out for our response! Additionally, the rise of secularist, anti-Christian and intolerant regimes elsewhere around the globe are threatening the Christian Church in her way of life and mission. We must respond together.

This historic meeting in Cuba between Pope Francis and Patriarch Krill is a kick in the gut of the devil, who has welcomed the divisions among Christians precisely because they have weakened the Body of Christ. It has the potential of unleashing an extraordinary outpouring of grace from our One Savior, Jesus Christ, who longs for our full communion and missionary collaboration in this age.

I ask everyone reading this report, no matter what your confessional Christian identification, to pray for this historic meeting between these two successors of the apostles. Some will opine that this meeting is not all that significant. I believe that they are wrong. Others will use it as an opportunity to rehash the polemical diatribes which have too often impeded our rediscovery that we are brothers and sisters in the One Lord Jesus. I also caution that such a response can lead to sin and further the devil's strategy.

As for me, I say, COME HOLY SPIRIT and work a miracle of healing and unity in this urgent hour! May these two Christians experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit during their time together and evidence the holy boldness the hour demands. May the Church of Jesus Christ find a way to full communion and common mission.

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Deacon Keith Fournier is an ordained minister in the Church, a Catholic Deacon, with an outreach to the broader Christian community. He and his wife Laurine have been married for forty years. They have five grown children and seven grandchildren.

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