The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his078/cath_37.arj/CATH-37.TXT

Text File | 1991-05-27 | 11KB | 214 lines

                      THE VATICAN-SOVIET SUMMIT

Remarks of John Paul II

     Mr. President,

     1.  It gives me particular pleasure to extend a most cordial
greeting to you, to your distinguished wife, to the foreign minister
and to all the members of your entourage.

     The visit which you are making to the successor of Peter is an
important event in the history of relations between the Soviet Union
and the Apostolic See.  As such, it is being followed with great
interest by Catholics throughout the world and by all people of good
will.  It is well known that the pope's house has always been a home
for the representatives of all the peoples of the earth.  You are
therefore cordially welcome here, Mr. President.  Through you I also
wish to greet all the peoples of the republics of the Soviet Union.
My esteem and affection go out to all of them.

     2.  Last year we celebrated the millennium of the baptism of the
Rus', an event which left such a profound mark on the history of the
peoples who on that occasion received the message of Christ.  In this
way, the riches contained in revelation concerning the dignity and
value of the human person, which derive from the person's
relationship to God, the creator and fathre of all, admirably merged
with the original heritage of those peoples, a heritage which in the
course of centuries has been enhanced by so many other religious and
cultural values.

     As an eloquent expression of this, I am pleased to mention the
icons now on view at the exhibition which I opened several days ago.
An icon is indeed a wonderful synthesis of art and faith.  It uplifts
the soul toward the Absolute through a unique blend of color and
message.

     3.  I am pleased to consider your visit, Mr. President, against
the backdrop of the millennial celebration and, at the same time, to
look upon it as a promise-filled sign for the future.  Your visit, in
fact, enables us to look with greater confidence to the future of the
communities of believers in the Soviet Union.

     The events of past decades, and the painful trials to which so
many citizens were subject because of their faith are widely known.

     In particular, it is well known that many Catholic communities
are today eagerly awaiting the opportunity of re-establishing
themselves and of being able to rejoice in the leadership of their
pastors.

     Recent developments and the new perspectives which have opened
up lead us to the hope that the situation will change, thanks to the
repeatedly affirmed decision of your government to proceed with a
renewal of internal legislation in order to bring it into full
harmony with the solemn international commitments to which the Soviet
Union has also subscribed.

     On this occasion I make my own the expectations of millions of
your fellow citizens--and with them of millions of others throughout
the world--namely, that the law on freedom of conscience soon to be
discussed by the Supreme Soviet will help to guarantee to all
believers the full exercise of the right to religious freedom which,
as I have said many times, is the foundation of other freedoms.  My
thoughts turn in particular to those Christians living in the Soviet
Union who are in full communion with the Apostolic See.  On their
behalf--whether they be of the Latin, Byzantine or Armenian rite--I
express the fervent hope that they be able to practice freely their
religious life.

     In a climate of restored freedom, Catholics will thus be able to
work together with their brethren of the Orthodox Church, who are so
dear to us.  Indeed, we share with them a common patrimony and wish
to cooperate with them in a renewed ecumenical commitment to preach
the Gospel of Christ to new generations and to work together with
them in the vast field of human development as we await the
rebuilding of that unity which Christ willed for his church.

     4.  With you, Mr. President, we have had the opportunity to
dwell on the international situation and on some specific and more
urgent problems.  We have also discussed the development of contacts
between us for resolving the problems of the Catholic Church in the
U.S.S.R. as well as for fostering a shared commitment on behalf of
peace and cooperation in the world.

     5.  This cooperation is possible because man is both its subject
and its object.  Indeed, "man is the way of the church," as I had
occasion to point out at the very outset of my pontificate
("Redemptor Hominis", 14, March 4, 1979).

     While on the one hand the church comes to know the mystery of
man in the light of the mystery of Christ ("Gaudium et Spes", 22),
she also learns to deepen her understanding of that mystery through
the experiences of individuals as well as through the successes and
failures of nations.  For this reason, the church, as an "expert in
humanity" (Paul VI, Address to the U.N. General Assembly, Oct. 4,
1965), today more than ever joins with all those who desire to serve
the cause of man and to contribute to the progress of nations.

     At the end of the second millennium of the Christian era, the
church appeals to all those who have the future of mankind at heart,
to unite in the service of its material and spiritual betterment.
Such concern for man cannot only pave the way for overcoming
international tensions and ending the confrontation between blocs; it
can also favor the birth of a universal solidarity, especially with
regard to the developing countries.  "Solidarity"--as I have had
occasion to affirm--"helps us to see the 'other'--whether person,
people or nation--not just as some kind of instrument ... but as our
'neighbor,' a 'helper' (cf. Gn 2:18-20), to be made a sharer, on a
par with ourselves, in the banquet of life to which all are equally
invited by God" ("Sollicitudo Rei Socialis", 39).

     This is particularly true for the richer and more powerful
nations.  With respect to them, I have noted that "surmounting every
type of imperialism and determination to preserve their own hegemony
... (those nations) must have a sense of moral responsibility for the
other nations, so that an effective international system may be
established which will rest on the foundation of the equality of all
peoples and on the necessary respect for their legitimate
differences" (ibid.).

     6.  To be sure, mankind today awaits new forms of cooperation
and mutual assistance.  The tragedy of the Second World War has
taught us, however, that if fundamental ethical values are forgotten,
fearful consequences for the fate of peoples can result and even the
greatest of enterprises can end in failure.  Hence, in my apostolic
letter commemorating the outbreak of the Second World War, I felt the
need to remind all peoples that "there can be no peace if man and law
are held in contempt" and "if the rights of all peoples--particularly
the most vulnerable--are not respected" (No. 8).  What is more, I
expressed to statesmen and the leaders of nations my profound
conviction "that respect for God and respect for man go hand in hand.
They make up the absolute principles which allows states and
political blocs to overcome their hostilities" (No. 12).

     7.  Mr. President, our meeting today will hardly fail to have a
powerful impact on world opinion.  Not only is it something new and
unusual; it will also be interpreted as singularly meaningful:  a
sign of the times that have slowly matured, a sign that is rich in
promise.

     The Holy See follows with great interest the process of renewal
which you have set in motion in the Soviet Union.  It wishes you
success and declares itself ready to support every initiative that
will better protect and integrate the rights and duties of
individuals and peoples, so that peace may be ensured in Europe and
in the world.

     Tomorrow you will meet with the president of the United States
of America, George Bush.  For my part, I express cordial good wishes
and pray that the forthcoming talks may lead to a new understanding,
one based upon a careful heeding of the needs and aspiration s of
peoples.

     With these sentiments, Mr. President, I renew my best wishes for
you and for your mission, for your family and for your country,
invoking upon all of you the blessings of almighty God.

Remarks of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev

     Your Holiness, gentlemen,

     I thank you for your kind attention and for the interest you
have shown toward my country, our policies and our views about the
world.

     A truly extraordinary event has taken place.  It has become
possible due to the profound changes that are sweeping many countries
and nations.  What is more, we can expect it to help assure their
positive continuation.

     We had much to discuss.  I feel that my thoughts and concerns
have been duly appreciated as well as my explanations of the problems
that now exist in our country, including problems between the state
and various churches, which we are addressing in a spirit of democracy
and humanism and within and framework of "perestroika."

     The Soviet Union and the Holy See participate in the Helsinki
process.  To the extent of their abilities and with due regard for
their special roles, both are helping it to proceed at a normal pace,
promote solutions to common European problems and create a favorable
external environment enabling nations to make their own independent
choice.

     Respect for the peoples' national, state, spiritual and cultural
identity is an indispensable condition for a steady international
environment, which Europe and the world now need to cross the
historic watershed and attain a new period of peace.

     We proceed from these positions in initiating our dialogue with
the Holy See--the dialogue which has now been consecrated by this
summit meeting.  I am pleased to note the night degree of mutual
understanding and readiness to fill this dialogue with specific
actions.

     We have reached agreement in principle to give official status
to our interstate relations.  As for the modalities, they will be
determined by our diplomatic officials.

     People of many confessions, including Christians, Muslims, Jews,
Buddhists, and others, live in the Soviet Union.  All of them have a
right to satisfy their spiritual needs.  Shortly, a law on the
freedom of conscience will be adopted in our country.  Within the
mainstream of "perestroika" we are learning the difficult and
indispensable art of comprehensive cooperation and consolidation of
society on the groundwork of renewal.

     I greet you and join in the good wishes that we have just heard
from His Holiness.

                                                      December 1, 1989
                                                          Vatican City