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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JULY 5, 1985
PAGE 11
areas of foreign policy, defense and security that are not cov
ered by the Treaty of Rome--another list of subjects on which the
British would prefer to deal, case by case, with cooperative
agreements instead of getting involved in negotiations for treaty
changes.
Pope Presses Eastern Europe Theme
In this column last week we reported on the attachment of Pope John Paul II
to the importance of bringing the Eastern European societies into "spiritu
al union" with the rest of Europe. In this connection the Pope, who proudly
identifies himself as "the first Slavic pope" has designated the brothers
Methodius and Cyril, two early Catholic missionaries to the Slavic peoples,
as patron saints in Europe.
Following up this process, the Pope on July 2 devoted the fourth encyclical
of his papacy to the work of the two ninth century saints. John Paul is ob
viously pressing hard on the theme of what he calls the church's "spiritual
solidarity" with the Slavic world. Here is a report on the encyclical as
received over our AP wire on July 2, 1985:
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II on Tuesday extended his
hopes for solidarity to fellow Slavs in the East Bloc, appealing
for religious freedom and for efforts to overcome divisions in
Europe. In the fourth encyclical of his papacy, the Polish-born
pontiff lauded two ninth century saints who brought Christianity
to the Slavs and set down his vision of � Europe spiritually
united _QY � common culture and religion.
John Paul said he hopes that "when ideological conflicts have
been conquered" Europe "may be for th.
e whole world an example of
just and peaceful coexistence in mutual respect and inviolate
liberty." The Pope's 47-page letter was phrased in milder terms
than he has sometimes used to denounce human rights violations in
Poland and elsewhere in the Soviet bloc.
At a news conference, Vatican-based Czechoslovak Cardinal Jozef
Tomko conceded the Pope's language was guarded, saying this was
due in part to the "delicate situation" the church faced in the
east. He did not elaborate. "Tough words would only have been
counter-productive," said a Vatican source who spoke on condition
that his name not be used.
The encyclical was issued just before a visit to Czechoslovakia
by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Agostino Casaroli,
for a commemoration ceremony July 7 marking the work of the
saints.
Casaroli flew to Yugoslavia on Tuesday en route to
Czechoslovakia. The Pope alluded to Czechoslovakia's failure to
invite him to the commemorations, saying he desired "to be pres
ent at least spiritually."
The encyclical, entitled "Slavorum Apostoli" (Apostles of the
Slavs), was issued in commemoration of the ninth-century evangel
izing work of Saints Cyril and Methodius. An encyclical is a
papal letter informing the church and its members of matters of
importance.
John Paul, noting he is the first Slavic pope,