Patriarch Kirill congratulates Rev. Martin Junge on his election as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent the following congratulatory message to Rev. Martin Junge on the occasion of his election as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation

Dear Pastor Junge,

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your election to the high office of general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.

Good relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Lutherans in various countries of the world have had an age-old history and established traditions. We also have a long-standing experience of successful cooperation with the Lutheran World Federation with which we have been in theological dialogue for over a quarter of century.

Your important ministry in years ahead will entail efforts for solving complicated problems involved both in strengthening and renewing the Lutheran community and continuing and developing inter-Christian relations.

We begin your work as general secretary at a difficult time when opportunities and prospects for Christian cooperation undergo a re-assessment since theological and moral liberalism tends to generate conflicts within the Protestant world and to hamper relations with Orthodox Churches. In this situation, the achievement of a common understanding of biblical ethical values becomes a priority in inter-Christian contacts.

I am confident that good cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation will be continued.

I wish you spiritual and physical strength and success in your work in the new important office.

+ Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia