Christian Unity

Romans 12:12-13 "The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ. It was in one Spirit that all of us were baptized into one body. All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit."

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, begun in 1908 by an Episcopal Priest and Anglican Vicar...and today sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Catholic Church, focuses on the essential need for prayer for Christian unity. Pope John Paul II tells us in his 1995 Encyclical on Ecumenism: "In the eyes of the world, cooperation among Christians becomes a form of common Christian witness and a means of evangelization which benefits all involved."

The theme for the annual celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010 has been announced: "You Are Witnesses of These Things." (Luke 24:48). Millions of Christians across the globe will join their hands and voices in prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, to be held Monday to Monday, Jan. 18-25, 2010.

Ecumenism has shown how important prayer is for Christian unity, and for over a 100 years, Christians have gathered around the world to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” (John 17:21). “Christians, who share belief in Christ and share one baptism and one Lord should be able to overcome the stumbling block of disunity. Christians of every generation and every decade must enter into relationship of prayer and dialogue to sense where it is that the Holy Spirit is leading them to be one. Unity however does not mean uniformity."

"Ecumenism is an attempt for mutual respect and understanding, a quest for members of different traditions and denominations to honor everything that unites them, even as they discuss respectfully the things that divide them. True ecumenism starts with mutual love and respect." Archdiocese of Santa Fe

Spiritual Ecumenism can easily be accomplished on three levels: theological discourse, mixed study and prayer groups on the local level, and shared outreach in the issues of peace, justice, and service. We certainly see this manifested in the Pro-life initiative and the emergency relief response to Haiti. All it takes is an open heart and mind for the Holy Spirit to work in every Christian's life.

“During this time, we also pray for Christian unity, dear Lord! May every believer in Christ be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel. Together, may we be a witness to your presence, Lord.” Pope Benedict XVI