Dr. Fisher And Pope ‘Reach Threshold Of Problems’

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29379, 5 December 1960, Page 15

Dr. Fisher And Pope ‘Reach Threshold Of Problems’

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, December 3. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, who arrived in London this afternoon, told a press conference that there could be no objections to his visit to the Pope, whom he saw in Rome yesterday.

"To object shows that you are out of date,” he said. “It means you have got back to B.C. instead of A.D.

“The general purpose of the visit was to form personal contacts. That was all I ever wanted to do and that I have done in abundance.” The information office of the Church of England said after Dr. Fisher’s meeting with the Pope yesterday that the Pope expressed his great desire to increase brotherly feelings among all Christians.

The Archbishop last night met members of the Anglican community in Rome, and rectors and leading members of the three British Catholic colleges in the city, at a British Embassy reception.

At the end of the closing session of pre-Christmas spiritual exercises at the Vatican today the Pope, according to American Associated Press, told the assembled cardinals and archbishops: “I admire the sincere force of good will which Dr. Fisher is carrying forward. Our meeting took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and understanding on both sides. “Of course, our talks went only as far as the threshhold of great problems. Naturally, the crusts formed during four centuries are many, but with understanding and mutual contacts, in which Dr. Fisher courageously undertook to take the initiative, with time there could come love and the truth.”

At his London press conference, Dr. Fisher said: "All that has happened is what bears out and fulfils the whole spirit of our Lord’s teaching and of the Gospel. “The general purpose of the visit was to form personal contacts. That was all I ever wanted to do, and that I have done in abundance. And wherever I went I did not have to create an atmosphere of .friendship and happiness. I walked straight into it.” Asked about the possibility of further personal contacts between himself and the Pope, the Archbishop replied: “I never believe m looking too far ahead.” Asked if there would be contact at lower levels between the two

churches, Dr. Fisher remarked: “The whole purpose of the exercise was to clear the way for regular, frequent, informal and formal exchanges of opinion and understanding between the two churches wherever they exist.” The meeting, was strictly private, but a statement issued by the Anglican information office said the Archbishop was able to give the Pope some of the impressions which he had gained from his recent visit to Jerusalem and Istanbul. The statement added: “His Holiness expressed to the Archbishop his great desire—as he did on many other occasions—to increase brotherly feelings among, all men and especially among all Christians, and the Archbishop confirmed out of his own knowledge and experience how keen and widespread was the desire ot many churches to act for the same purpose.

“His Holiness recalled the memory of his great predecessor, St. Gregory the Great, who sent the first missionaries to England. The conversation also touched upon personal experiences of a spiritual nature.” The statement added: “It was never intended that this should be an occasion for the consideration of particular problems or issues, and the meeting retained -throughout the Character of a visit of courtesy. It was marked by a happy spirit of cordiality and sympathy such as befitted a notable event in the history of church relations.” Italian Press Comment

The Archbishop’s visit to Rome was "of the greatest importance because of the way it was preptred, and of the hopes it kindles for Christian unity,” the Roman Catholic newspaper, ‘Il Quotidian”, commented. “No-one certainly dares say what will come of this visit.” the newspaper said. “But the hopes it has aroused in the hearts of unity-loving Christians have been underlined by the concern of those who can benefit from their disunity—the militant atheists.” The paper said it was certain the announcement of the ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church and “several significant actions” by the Pope in its ■ preparation “have put in motion the Christian spirit in the whole world.”

“Il Messaggero” said: “On the part of the Vatican and of the Archbishop, every attempt has

been made to avoid misunderstanding about the nature of the visit. It is certainly impossible to consider the talk along the lines of a simple and normal audience.”

. Milan’s ‘‘Corriere Della" said: “It was clear that the Vatican for a long while had hesitated (about this visit) and probably its prelates were internally divided over yesterday’s event. From one side, they did not want to over-evalu-ate the visit—they did not intend to give birth to false hopes of a Christian unification.

“From another side, they understood that the event had great significance. “Although not renouncing its principles and rulings, the Church of England approached, with feelings of goodwill, to the most eminent prelate of the Catholic Church.

“Yesterday we had a further evidence of the double intentions which seem to prevail within the Vatican—the desire of not exaggerating and at the same time of not under-evaluating the event.” Another Milan paper, "I Giorno,” said: “Nothing exact may be said about the historic perspective of yesterday’s encounter. The Vatican’s silence is not encouraging to audacious interpretations.

“However, we can say certainly that the target of the two churches is not a compromise about doctrines, but a reapproaching of the Christian communities.”