Says Blood of Persecuted Christians Will Nourish New Era of Ecumenism
Vatican City, (ZENIT.org) | 1168 hits
Pope
Francis says that the cause of Christian unity is "not an optional undertaking"
and that the Holy Spirit can accomplish what "humanly does not seem
possible."
The
Pope said this Thursday when he received in audience the members of the
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. The group is studying the
relationship between the universal Church and the local Church, with particular
reference to processes for discussions and decision making regarding moral and
ethical questions.
The
issue is key for ongoing dialogue with the Anglican Communion, which is facing
internal rifts over the decision to allow the episcopal ordination of
women.
The
Pope acknowledged "new difficulties and challenges" in the dialogue
"Though
we are fully aware of the seriousness of the challenges ahead, we can still
realistically trust that together great progress will be made," he said.
He
congratulated the commission members on the five jointly agreed statements of
the second phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue, with commentaries and
responses, that are soon to be published.
"The
cause of unity is not an optional undertaking and the differences which divide
us must not be seen as inevitable," he continued. "Some wish that, after fifty
years, greater progress towards unity would have been achieved. Despite
difficulties, we must not lose heart, but we must trust even more in the power
of the Holy Spirit, who can heal and reconcile us, and accomplish what humanly
does not seem possible."
Ecumenism
of blood.
Pope
Francis affirmed that there is a bond of unity among Catholics and Anglicans
that goes beyond any division: the testimony of persecuted Christians.
"The
blood of these martyrs will nourish a new era of ecumenical commitment, a
fervent desire to fulfill the last will and testament of the Lord: that all may
be one," he said. "The witness by these our brothers and sisters demands that we
live in harmony with the Gospel and that we strive with determination to fulfill
the Lord's will for his Church. Today the world urgently needs the common,
joyful witness of Christians, from the defence of life and human dignity to the
promotion of justice and peace.
"Together
let us invoke the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to be able to respond
courageously to 'the signs of the times' which are calling all Christians to
unity and common witness."--
On
ZENIT's Web page:
No comments:
Post a Comment