Courtesy of Mr. Bean's Rowan Atkinson (thanks Amy)
Ecumenism: March 2009 Archives
This is stale news but the church in Bari, Italy which holds the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra (on whom Santa Claus is based) has been handed over to the Moscow Patriarchate. In 1087, his relics were stolen from the Orthodox and moved to Bari. As a sign of healing, the church has been given to the Orthodox. What's not clear is whether the relics and/or their care has been entrusted to them as well. The full text of the papal message doesn't really answer the question. I guess time will tell. In any case, I think this gesture is overdue.
