From the mouth of Alexis II himself, with a reasonable timetable, in an interview granted today to French daily Le Figaro:
Benedict XVI has also expressed his anxiety for the "spiritual emptiness" of Europe. May this common concern be the base for a deeper rapprochement?
We have the same approach. It is necessary to defend Christian values from a liberty which is understood as the possibility of doing anything. We must cooperate to prevent the redefinition of European moral values, the legalization of homosexual unions, the propaganda in favor of euthanasia or abortion.
I am convinced that the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church must act together to defend Christian values from an aggressive Materialism.The personal view of Pope Benedict XVI contributes to this rapprochement.
Regarding the possibility of a meeting with Benedict XVI, I do not exclude it at all. Maybe not in a month, but in a year or two. Meanwhile, it is necessary to prepare carefully, to remove all difficulties.
