This week is observed (at least in Canada) as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Every year, for the period of one week (seven days), all the ecclesial communities representing different parts of the Church are encouraged to pray for unity.
Why? The story stretches back to the 16th century and the Reform, during which many of the Protestant churches (Anglicans, Presbyterians, Penticostals, Baptists, and later the United Church of Canada) were born. The truth is that this was a very painful period in the Church's history, and ever since then, we have dreamed of the day when we might be re-united ... but ruptures are not easy to mend.
In Rome, the Holy Father spoke of this theme as well during his weekly General Audience. The path to Christian unity requires more than being nice to each other and cooperating, he said. Full and visible unity will require transformation and being conformed to the image of Christ.
The Week of Prayer concludes on Sunday of this week. In the meanwhile various efforts at calling the community of Christians to pray for unity continue.
Why? The story stretches back to the 16th century and the Reform, during which many of the Protestant churches (Anglicans, Presbyterians, Penticostals, Baptists, and later the United Church of Canada) were born. The truth is that this was a very painful period in the Church's history, and ever since then, we have dreamed of the day when we might be re-united ... but ruptures are not easy to mend.
In Rome, the Holy Father spoke of this theme as well during his weekly General Audience. The path to Christian unity requires more than being nice to each other and cooperating, he said. Full and visible unity will require transformation and being conformed to the image of Christ.
- Full text of the Holy Father's address (in Italian)
- ZENITs translation
- Greetings to English-speaking pilgrims
- Video of the General Audience held Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Week of Prayer concludes on Sunday of this week. In the meanwhile various efforts at calling the community of Christians to pray for unity continue.
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