PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES CARDINAL SANDRI IN ANTELIAS
The Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches (Vatican), Cardinal
Leonardo Sandri, visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on November 28. The
Vatican official paid the visit just as His Holiness had returned from a
visit to the Vatican himself. Cardinal Sandri has been in Lebanon for the
past four days to attend the meeting of the spiritual heads of Oriental
Catholic Churches.
The Pontiff and his guest met for over an hour, discussing his recent visit
to the Vatican. His Holiness briefed the Cardinal on the main aspects of his
visit. Cardinal Sandri, who closely followed His Holiness’ visit, considered
it a historic visit.
The Pontiff and the Cardinal also spoke about the status of Christians in
the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon in particular. His Holiness
stated that the Vatican strongly supports the Christian presence in the
region and Christian- Muslim coexistence. Cardinal Sandri reasserted His
Holiness’ views, observing that his presence in Lebanon is a tangible
expression of the Vatican’s support.
Cardinal Sandri also spoke about making the St. Vlas Church in Rome
available to the Armenian Church to conduct Armenian mass in case of
necessity. He outlined some of the sensitivities concerning this issue. His
Holiness first expressed his satisfaction for the ecumenical approach
adopted by the Catholic Church towards the Armenian Church, hoping that the
sensitivities would soon fade away.
The Cardinal was accompanied in his visit to His Holiness Aram I by the
Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Mgr Luigi Gatti, his two assistant Bishops and
the representative of Bekerke. At the end of the meeting, His Holiness
presented a cross as a souvenir to the Cardinal.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos341.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.