Cardinal Kurt Koch Archives

Vatican, Russian Orthodox stress collaboration in COVID response

Feb 13, 2021

Officials from the Vatican and from the Russian Orthodox churches met Friday for a virtual discussion on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and how to collaborate in responding to the complex and multifaceted challenges posed by COVID-19.

By Elise Ann Allen

Pope’s push for Christian unity doesn’t stop for COVID

Jan 18, 2021

Organizers have said this year’s Week for Christian Unity is especially relevant given the coronavirus pandemic, which requires a joint effort from all people regardless of ethnicity, race or creed in order to stop the spread and assist the sick and the poor.

By Elise Ann Allen

A lifestyle, not a task: Vatican reminds bishops of ecumenical priority

Dec 4, 2020

The ministry of a Catholic bishop must reflect the Catholic Church’s commitment to Christian unity and must give ecumenical engagement the same kind of attention as work for justice and peace, said a new Vatican document.

By Cindy Wooden

Catholic, Jewish leaders mark 55th anniversary of ‘Nostra Aetate’

Oct 28, 2020

The formal structures that sponsor Catholic-Jewish dialogue are important, but their decades of success have relied on strong personal friendships and mutual respect, both of which must continue to spread among all Catholics and Jews, officials involved in the dialogue said.

By Catholic News Service

Search for Christian unity is making progress, pope says

May 26, 2020

Marking the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical on Christian unity, Pope Francis said he shares “the healthy impatience” of those who think more can and should be done, but he also insisted that Christians must be grateful for the progress made.

By Cindy Wooden

Swiss cardinal skips Mass to avoid priest accused of Nazi sympathies

May 4, 2018

Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, canceled his participation in an upcoming Mass because one of the celebrants is a newly ordained priest with a history of alleged Nazi sympathies.

By Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Pope wants Germans to find ‘unanimous’ solution on intercommunion

May 3, 2018

After a rare summit between German bishops and Vatican officials on Thursday to discuss a dispute on intercommunion, the Vatican said Pope Francis wants the Germans to find a “possibly unanimous” solution.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Summit of German shepherds, Vatican heavyweights captures three ironies

May 1, 2018

A May 3 summit between German prelates and Vatican officials on the issue of intercommunion neatly captures three grand ironies about the state of things in 21st century Catholicism.

By John L. Allen Jr.