The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a joint effort of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. It begins on the Jan. 18 feast of the Confession of Peter ("Thou art the Christ, the
The key to understanding the life, work and contribution of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, also known as Pope Benedict XVI, is to be found in a fundamental realization that his entire natural existence was rooted and lived in a supernatural encounter with the
The Second Vatican Council was of great interest to the Orthodox world, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople wrote in an article published in the Vatican newspaper.
The article published Oct. 11 marked the anniversary of the opening of the first session of the
Exploring their sacraments, rituals and outreach that promote reconciliation with God and among people, Catholic and Methodist experts acknowledged in a new document that divided Christians "fall short of what it means to be the church."
Catholics and Methodists believe the sacrament of
The unity of the Catholic Church's bishops is fundamental in correcting past wrongs and in confronting challenges today, Pope Francis said.
Meeting with a group of Jesuits in Canada July 29, the pope said his visit was made possible by the unity of
Meeting 18 young priests and monks from six Oriental Orthodox churches, Pope Francis insisted divided Christians must work together to share the Gospel.
"It is a message that we are called to bear witness to with one another, not against one another or
Doing nothing to overcome the divisions among Christians means allowing tensions to fester and even feed conflict, Pope Francis said.
"Ignoring the divisions among Christians, whether out of habit or out of resignation, means tolerating that pollution of hearts which makes fertile ground
Divided Christians will never find unity unless they are willing to humble themselves, bowing down to worship Jesus and him alone, Pope Francis said.
"How many times has pride proved the real obstacle to communion," the pope said as he closed the Week
All Christians are invited to pray for unity and continue to journey together, said Cardinals Mario Grech, general secretary of the Synod of the Bishops, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Toward that end, the two
When the goal of Christian unity seems far off, "let us remind ourselves that we are making this journey not as those who already possess God but as those who continue to seek him," Pope Francis told members of an ecumenical pilgrimage