Message from Cardinal Kasper

Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

10 March 2005

Your Excellency



I have received your letter of the 28 February with which you sent a copy of the ‘Message from the French Association of Interchurch Families to the Bishops in preparation for the Synod on the Eucharist.’

As you know, the question of communicatio in sacris is one of the major preoccupations of this Pontifical Council. We have provided guidelines on the way to act in the Ecumenical Directory and are naturally interested in the implications of this question on everyday life, particularly that of interchurch families. This subject, because of the doctrinal questions it brings with it, is also on the discussion agenda in several dialogues we are having with other churches. In fact, the two Codes of canon law ask the bishops to watch over with particular attention the development of mixed marriages.

I can assure you, for my part, that the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity intends to raise this important question for debate during the coming Bishops’ Synod, and I hope that this will be the opportunity for deep theological and pastoral reflection on a subject which is nowadays becoming more and more important.

Thank you for drawing my attention to the concerns of French interchurch families.

Yours sincerely

Cardinal Walter Kasper