New York, NY – The recent reaction to certain remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI in a speech he delivered to an academic audience at the University of Regensburg on September 12, 2006 has caused deep concern to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.

“Today,” said Patriarch Bartholomew, “dialogue is more useful and necessary in relation to the past. For this reason, our only course should be toward sincere dialogue based on tolerance.”

Defining his position as one of mutual love and respect, the Ecumenical Patriarch continued by suggesting that, “While there are so many possibilities for cooperation and common values, particularly among the three monotheistic religions, it is necessary to avoid situations which can offend each others beliefs and displease each other.”

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 270th Successor of the Holy Apostle Andrew. Pope Benedict has accepted the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey on the Feastday of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the brother of Saint Peter, on November 30, 2006.

Contact:
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
Cell: 617-680-7222