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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
On
Christian Unity
"We All Have the Duty to Pray and Work for the Overcoming of Every
Division"
H.H. Benedict XVI
January 20, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Two days ago began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity during
which Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants, knowing that
their divisions constitute an obstacle to the reception of the
Gospel, together implore the Lord, in a yet more intense way, for
the gift of full communion. This providential initiative was born
100 years ago, when Father Paul Wattson started the "Octave" of
prayer for the unity of all the disciples of Christ. Today for this
occasion the spiritual sons and daughters of Father Wattson, the
friars and sisters of the Atonement, are present in St. Peter's
Square and I greet them cordially and encourage them to pursue the
cause of unity with their special dedication.
We all have the duty to pray and work for the overcoming of every
division between Christians, responding to Christ's desire "ut unum
sint." Prayer, conversion of heart, the reinforcement of the bonds
of communion, form the essence of this spiritual movement that we
hope will soon lead the disciples of Christ to celebrate the
Eucharist together, the manifestation of their full unity.
This year's biblical theme is dense with meaning: "Pray without
ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). St. Paul addresses himself to the
community of Thessalonica, which was experiencing internal clashes
and conflicts, to remind them with insistence about certain
fundamental attitudes, among which there stands out, indeed,
incessant prayer. With this invitation of his, he wants it to be
understood that from the new life in Christ and in the Holy Spirit
there flows forth the capacity to overcome all egoism, to live
together in peace and fraternal union, to bear in large measure the
burdens and sufferings of others. We must never tire of praying for
the unity of Christians! When Jesus, during the Last Supper, prayed
that his disciples "be one," he had a precise goal in mind: "That
the world believe" (John 17:21).
The Church's evangelizing mission, therefore, moves along the path
of ecumenism, the path of unity of faith, of evangelical witness and
authentic fraternity. As is done every year, on Thursday, Jan. 25, I
will go to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to conclude
the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with solemn vespers. I invite
Romans and pilgrims to join with me and with Christians of all the
churches and ecclesial communities who will take part in the
celebration, to ask of God the precious gift of reconciliation among
all the baptized.
May the Mother of God, whose appearance to Alphonse Ratisbonne in
the Church of Sant'Andrea delle Frate in Rome we remember today,
obtain from the Lord the abundance of the Holy Spirit for all
disciples in such a way that we can arrive at perfect unity and in
this way offer the witness of faith and life that the world urgently
needs.
[After the Angelus the Holy Father said the following:]
First of all I wish to greet the young students, the professors and
all of you who have come in great numbers to St. Peter's Square to
participate in the prayer of the Angelus and to express your
solidarity; I also greet the many who unite themselves to us
spiritually. I thank you from my heart, dear friends; I thank the
cardinal vicar who has made himself the promoter of this meeting.
As you know, I happily accepted the courteous invitation that was
made to me to give a lecture this past Thursday at the inauguration
of the academic year at La Sapienza -- University of Rome. I know
this athenaeum well, I esteem and have affection for the students
who study there: On several occasions every year many of them come
to meet me in the Vatican, together with their colleagues from other
universities. Unfortunately, as is known, the climate that was
created rendered my presence at the ceremony inopportune. I
postponed my visit but I wanted in any case to send the text that I
had prepared for the occasion.
I love the search for truth, the comparison, the frank and
respectful dialogue between reciprocal positions of the university
environment, which for many years was my world. All of that is also
the mission of the Church, committed to faithfully following Jesus,
master of life, truth and love. As professor emeritus, so to speak,
who has met many students in his life, I encourage all of you
university students to be respectful of the opinions of others and
to seek, with a free and responsible spirit, the truth and the good.
To all and to each I renew my expression of gratitude, assuring my
affection and my prayer.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[In English the Holy Father said the following:]
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
present for this Angelus. Today's Gospel presents the figure of John
the Baptist who proclaims Jesus as the Chosen One of God. It is
Christ, anointed with the Holy Spirit, who brings forgiveness of
sins and the gift of new life. May we welcome this gift and strive
with courage to follow in the footsteps of our Saviour. I wish you
all a pleasant stay in Rome, and a blessed Sunday!
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