then you will agree with this aswell
Pope Appeals for Effort to Overcome Christian Division
On Opening the Week of Prayer for Unity
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 18, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged commitment to overcome the division among the followers of Christ, as the Pope marked the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The Holy Father said that the Week of Prayer is "an important appointment to reflect on the tragedy of the division of the Christian community and to pray with Jesus himself 'that they may all be one so that the world may believe.'"
The Pope's words were heard today by 8,000 people gathered in Paul VI Hall for the general audience.
Benedict XVI himself will close the Week of Prayer on Jan. 25, in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, presiding over a vigil that will be attended by representatives of various Christian confessions.
On this occasion, the Week of Prayer will serve to initiate the preparation of the third European Ecumenical Assembly. This process will culminate with events in Sibiu, Romania, from Sept. 4-8, 2007.
The Pope explained that "the prayer for unity forms part of that central nucleus that the Second Vatican Council calls 'the soul of the whole ecumenical movement,' a nucleus that includes precisely public and private prayers, conversion of heart and holiness of life."
Will of God
"This view," he continued, "presents us the core of the ecumenical problem which is obedience to the Gospel to do the will of God with his necessary and effective help."
"The elements that, despite the lasting division, continue to unite Christians sustain the possibility to raise a common prayer to God," the Holy Father said.
This communion in Christ "sustains the whole ecumenical movement and indicates the objective of the search for the unity of all Christians in the Church of God," he said.
Benedict XVI distinguished the ecumenical movement from other initiatives of dialogue with other religions and ideologies.
Quoting Vatican II's decree "Unitatis Redintegratio," he clarified: "This movement toward unity is called 'ecumenical.' Those belong to it who invoke the Triune God and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior."
In fact, the Catholic Church does not use the term "ecumenism" to refer to relations with non-Christians, but rather "interreligious dialogue."
According to the Pontiff, the prayers that will be raised over these seven days express "the will of a common effort for the re-establishment of the full communion of all Christians."
Fraternity
"But we do not limit ourselves to implore," he said. "We can also give thanks to the Lord for the new situation that, with effort, has been created in the ecumenical relations among Christians with the fraternity that has been found again through the strong bonds of solidarity established, of the growth of communion and of the convergences carried out."
The Successor of Peter is convinced that "there are many reasons to thank God."
"And if there is still much to be done and to hope for, let us not forget that God has given us much on the path of unity," he said. "The future is before us."
Benedict XVI concluded by appealing for prayer "so as to be aware that the holy cause of the re-establishment of Christian unity exceeds our poor human efforts and that unity, finally, is a gift of God."
"God and our love are the condition for the unity of Christians," he said. "They are the condition for peace in the world."
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