Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity Begins In Rome

Benedict XVI kicked off the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity during his Sunday Angelus.




For this year, a Korean ecumenical group suggested the theme, "That they may become one in your hand", which is from the Book of Ezekiel.

BENEDICT XVI
Let's pray that Christians walk in a resolute way towards the full communion among them. I specifically address the Catholics scattered throughout the world so that united in prayer, they don't tire of working to overcome the obstacles that still hinder the full communion among all the disciples of Christ.

The Pope also said that Christian unity was more necessary than ever, given the turbulent times the world is living in.

Benedict XVI will conclude the week at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls with a celebration of the vespers, in memory of the conversion of Saint Paul.

During the past few years, Catholic-Orthodox relations have improved. The future will depend in large part on the next patriarch of Moscow, the head of the largest Orthodox community in the world, who will be chosen next week.

The leaders of the Orthodox faith will probably meet later this year for the Panorthodox Council on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Catholic relations with protestant communities are much more complicated, particularly when it comes to issues such as ordaining female priests and homosexuals.

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