Bulgarian Bishop Sees Progress in Ties With Catholics

"The question is now ripe, because the needs of the time are being anticipated," Metropolitan Bishop Dometian of Vidin told Vatican Radio.

"I think that the Orthodox Church, by its nature, faith and spirit, is very close to our brothers of the Catholic Church," he said.

The Bulgarian Orthodox delegation visited Rome to inaugurate the liturgical use by the Orthodox community residing here of the Church of Sts. Vincent and Anastasius, near the Trevi Fountain. The church was ceded to the Orthodox by John Paul II.

Metropolitan Dometian also took part in a symposium of Catholic and Orthodox theologians and representatives, held in the Vatican from May 21-24, and organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.