Saturday, November 20, 2010

Catholic Church firmly committed to full Christian unity, pope says

The goal of ecumenism is full unity and the Catholic Church is firmly committed to pursuing that goal, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The search for Christian unity is not a political process requiring "the ability to negotiate or a greater ability to find compromises," but it is a religious effort to fulfill God's will, the pope said Nov. 18 during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

In the 50 years since Pope John XXIII established the council, he said, Catholics have grown in their knowledge, understanding and esteem for other Christian churches and communities. Ecumenical relations have led to important theological developments, and Christians have grown in love for one another, he said.

"Various forms of collaboration have developed," not just in the areas of "the defense of life, safeguarding creation and combating injustice," but also in providing ecumenical translations of the Bible, the pope said.

Pope Benedict said he knows many people today believe ecumenism has lost its steam.

The churches' response, he said, must be "to reawaken ecumenical interest and give a new incisiveness to the dialogues."

At the same time, the churches cannot ignore the fact that the dialogues face new challenges from "new anthropological and ethical interpretations," including those related to homosexuality and abortion, from the splintering of some mainline Christian communities and in educating new generations about the need for Christian unity, the pope said.

"Even in the presence of new problematic situations or difficult points for the dialogue, the goal of the ecumenical journey remains unchanged, as does the firm commitment to pursuing it," he said.

Pope Benedict said Christians must recognize that God will be the ultimate author of full Christian unity, but the commitment of Christians to exploring and resolving their differences also is needed.

While learning to "leave to God that which is uniquely his," the pope said, Christians must "explore with seriousness, constancy and dedication that which is our task," recognizing that it will involve both "acting and suffering, activity and patience, hard work and joy."

SIC: CNS/INT'L