VATICAN CITY - The Catholic and Orthodox churches have taken steps toward resuming dialogue, a Vatican cardinal said Tuesday, after a five-month chill following Orthodox accusations that Catholics were trying to convert Russians.
Cardinal Walter Kasper told Vatican Radio in an interview Tuesday that Metropolitan Kirill, head of the Moscow Patriarchate's external relations department, had sent Catholic officials a letter outlining the Orthodox complaints.
"Since the month of February, there hasn't been direct dialogue with the Moscow Patriarchate," Kasper said. "Now we've received this letter, and already the fact that it arrived is a sign that we can continue on this path."
Orthodox leaders accused the Catholic Church of proselytizing on Orthodox territory, and were infuriated when the Vatican upgraded its presence in Russia in February by creating four full-fledged dioceses. In April, Kirill reportedly said the Catholic Church must admit it had been seeking converts in Russia before any dialogue could take place.
The Catholic Church insists it is not seeking converts, but simply trying to provide pastoral services to Russia's estimated 600,000 Catholics. About two-thirds of Russia's 144 million people are Orthodox.
"Let's hope that the dialogue can be taken up again," Kasper said. "We know it will be difficult and long, but at least we can start."
The dispute has also clouded prospects for a visit by Pope John Paul II, who has expressed a desire to come to Russia to promote reconciliation between the two branches of Christianity.
Despite welcoming the letter, Kasper said "we must say that up to now, many facts don't appear convincing."
"The Church itself is missionary, but it doesn't proselytize. There are many facts that are not convincing in this letter. However, on this we can enter into a dialogue."
He also argued that Catholics should be allowed to function freely in Russia, having historical roots there.
"Now our Church is living a rebirth, and it has the right to exist. If an Orthodox or a non-believer wants to become Catholic, we can't chase him away — it's an issue of religious freedom."