At 10:00am today, the Holy Father received in audience Doctor Antje Jackelén, Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala, with a delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Switzerland.
Esteemed Doctor Jackelén,
Esteemed sister and dear friends!
I cordially greet you and thank you for the kind words that you have offered. With gratitude to God, during this last year, we have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, which is still the key reference point for the ecumenical commitment of the Catholic Church. With this document, it is evident that from now on, ecumenism cannot be ignored. It invites all Catholic faithful to participate in ecumenical efforts, recognizing the signs of the times, and finding the way to unity in order to overcome the divisions between Christians, which is not only in open contradiction to the will of Christ but also scandalous to the world and damaging to the most holy of causes: preaching the gospel to every creature.
Speaking of the indivisible tunic of Christ (UR, 13), the Decree expresses a profound respect and appreciation for our separated brothers and sisters to whom in daily existence we may sometimes pay little consideration. In fact, they should not be perceived as adversaries or competitors, but recognized for who they are: brothers and sisters in faith. Catholics and Lutherans are required to seek out and promote unity in our dioceses, our parishes and our communities all over the world. On the path toward full and visible unity in faith, in sacramental life and in the mystery of the Church, there is still much work to be done, but we can be certain that the Paraclete will always be light and strength for spiritual ecumenism and for theological dialogue.
I am happy to also recall the recent document entitled From conflict to communion. The common Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the Reform of 2017, published by the Lutheran-Catholic Commission for Unity. We sincerely hope that this initiative will encourage and accomplish, with the help of God and with our collaboration with Him and through us, further steps on the path to unity.
The call to unity in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ also involves a pressing exhortation to common commitment on the level of charity, in favour of all those in our world who suffer because of misery and violence, and who especially need our mercy; particularly the witness of our persecuted brothers and sisters who motivate us to grown in fraternal communion. Of urgent need is also the question of the dignity of human life, always to be respected, as well as issues related to the family, to marriage and to sexuality which cannot be silenced or ignored for fear of jeopardizing the ecumenical consensus that has already been established. It would be a shame if on these important matters were to establish new confessional differences.
Dear friends, thank you again for your visit. In hopes that collaboration between Catholics and Lutherans might be strengthened, I pray that the Lord may abundantly bless each of you and your communities.
I also want to thank you for two things. First, I thank the Swiss Lutheran Church for welcoming so many South American migrants in times of dictatorship. Fraternal welcome allowed families to grow. And secondly, I want to thank you for the delicatesse you, dear sister, demonstrated in appointing my great friend, Pastor Anders Root: he and I shared the Chair of Spiritual Theology and he helped me so much in my spiritual life. Thank you.
Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the meeting with the Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala
Esteemed Doctor Jackelén,
Esteemed sister and dear friends!
I cordially greet you and thank you for the kind words that you have offered. With gratitude to God, during this last year, we have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, which is still the key reference point for the ecumenical commitment of the Catholic Church. With this document, it is evident that from now on, ecumenism cannot be ignored. It invites all Catholic faithful to participate in ecumenical efforts, recognizing the signs of the times, and finding the way to unity in order to overcome the divisions between Christians, which is not only in open contradiction to the will of Christ but also scandalous to the world and damaging to the most holy of causes: preaching the gospel to every creature.
Speaking of the indivisible tunic of Christ (UR, 13), the Decree expresses a profound respect and appreciation for our separated brothers and sisters to whom in daily existence we may sometimes pay little consideration. In fact, they should not be perceived as adversaries or competitors, but recognized for who they are: brothers and sisters in faith. Catholics and Lutherans are required to seek out and promote unity in our dioceses, our parishes and our communities all over the world. On the path toward full and visible unity in faith, in sacramental life and in the mystery of the Church, there is still much work to be done, but we can be certain that the Paraclete will always be light and strength for spiritual ecumenism and for theological dialogue.
I am happy to also recall the recent document entitled From conflict to communion. The common Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the Reform of 2017, published by the Lutheran-Catholic Commission for Unity. We sincerely hope that this initiative will encourage and accomplish, with the help of God and with our collaboration with Him and through us, further steps on the path to unity.
The call to unity in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ also involves a pressing exhortation to common commitment on the level of charity, in favour of all those in our world who suffer because of misery and violence, and who especially need our mercy; particularly the witness of our persecuted brothers and sisters who motivate us to grown in fraternal communion. Of urgent need is also the question of the dignity of human life, always to be respected, as well as issues related to the family, to marriage and to sexuality which cannot be silenced or ignored for fear of jeopardizing the ecumenical consensus that has already been established. It would be a shame if on these important matters were to establish new confessional differences.
Dear friends, thank you again for your visit. In hopes that collaboration between Catholics and Lutherans might be strengthened, I pray that the Lord may abundantly bless each of you and your communities.
I also want to thank you for two things. First, I thank the Swiss Lutheran Church for welcoming so many South American migrants in times of dictatorship. Fraternal welcome allowed families to grow. And secondly, I want to thank you for the delicatesse you, dear sister, demonstrated in appointing my great friend, Pastor Anders Root: he and I shared the Chair of Spiritual Theology and he helped me so much in my spiritual life. Thank you.
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