Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II Blasts Vatican 'proselytism'

ROME, Aug 27 (AFP) - Russian Patriarch Alexy II blasted the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches Friday for proselytising in traditionally Orthodox areas of the former Soviet Union, even as the Vatican handed over a precious icon to his Orthodox Church.
"We expect the Roman Church will radically change its policy towards Orthodoxy, that it will cease its unfriendly and deliberate actions," the patriarch said in an interview published by Italy`s Corriere della Sera.
"Only on this condition is the fullness of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, on which we are readily disposed, possible," he said.
The comments coincided with the arrival in Moscow Friday of a Vatican delegation, led by top Roman Catholic cardinal Walter Kasper, that will hand over the precious Our Lady of Kazan icon.
The 16th century artifact, spirited from Russia in the 1920s, has long been treasured by Orthodox followers for its supposedly miraculous powers.
The pope said he hoped the return of the icon, to be given to Alexy II in a religious ceremony on Saturday, would lead to "mutual understanding and reconciliation" and hasten "full unity" between the two Christian Churches.
Alexy II has frequently warned the Roman Catholic Church against trying to recruit followers in the Orthodox Church`s heartlands across the former Soviet-bloc Community of Independent States (CIS).
"My conviction is that it is necessary to say `No` straight away to proselytism," Alexy II said in the interview.
"Unfortunately, we often come across such an attitude from Catholic clergy and monks who operate on Russian territory and in the CIS."
The icon has stood in Pope John Paul II`s apartment for more than a decade, and he formally entrusted it to the Moscow-bound delegation at the Vatican on Wednesday in what is seen an ecumenical gesture designed to heal a longstanding rift with the Eastern church.