ECUMENICAL ACT IN BETHLEHEM FOR THE OPENING OF HOLY YEAR

VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father to the apostolic delegation which is participating in a solemn ecumenical act for the opening of the Jubilee Year in Bethlehem.

In the message, which is written in English, the Pope expresses his "joy" that this event is being held, an event in which "the highest representatives of the Christians of the Holy Land are gathering in ... preparation for the opening of the Jubilee year, commemorating the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of our Lord."

"Before the eyes of the Christians of the Holy Land, and indeed of all Christians throughout the world, this meeting in Bethlehem testifies that the places in which Jesus spent his earthly life, bore his witness, died and rose again, are a constant reminder of the grace that we have received in Him and an urgent invitation to us to strengthen our will and commitment to be faithful to His prayer: 'Ut omnes unum sint'."

The Holy Father concludes by affirming that "by a happy coincidence today's ecumenical celebration is being attended by the secretaries of the Christian world communions. To them too I send my cordial greeting and my encouragement for their efforts to extend the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation."

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