Vatican envoy on visit to Moscow

Orthodox leaders accuse the Vatican of trying to draw their people away

A senior Vatican envoy has arrived in Moscow amid continuing tensions with the Russian Orthodox church.

Cardinal Walter Kasper had to cancel a visit two years ago when relations between the churches were even worse.

His visit will draw fresh attention to Pope John Paul II's unfulfilled wish to to go Russia - a trip which would depend on improving ties.

The cardinal is expected to meet an Orthodox representative, but not its leader, Patriarch Alexy II.

I've come here to turn the old page and open a new page of friendship and love in the history of the two churches Cardinal Walter Kaspar

He will also meet the four Roman Catholic bishops from Moscow, Satarov, Irkutsk and Novosibirsk dioceses.

Arriving in Moscow, he refused to comment on fresh Orthodox accusations that Catholics were trying to extend their influence in Ukraine.

"We don't want polemics. We want friendship between the two churches," the cardinal told reporters in Moscow.

"I've come here to turn the old page and open a new page of friendship and love in the history of the two churches."

Patriarch's opposition

The Pope's wish to visit Russia has the backing of President Putin but is opposed by Patriarch Alexy.

The patriarch restated his opposition only last month, saying relations with the Roman Catholic Church would have to improve before he would agree to a papal visit.

Anger reached a peak two years ago, when the cardinal's visit was cancelled amid anger at the creation of four Catholic dioceses in the country.

'Poaching' claim

The Russian Orthodox Church accused the Catholics of trying to "poach" members on their traditional territory.

It still accuses the Catholics of trying to expand its influence.

But the Vatican insists its activities in Russia cater largely for traditional Catholic minorities like Poles, Germans and Lithuanians, who have faced discrimination and persecution in the past.

There are, it says, just 600,000 Catholics in Russia - or 0.4% of the population.