ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION: WE MUST PRAY FOR THE GIFT OF UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 25, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, in the basilica of Saint Paul's Outside-the-Walls, John Paul II, together with representatives of other Churches and ecclesial communities, presided over an ecumenical celebration of the Word marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, whose theme was: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Participating in the liturgical ceremony were representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Patriarchate of Moscow, the Patriarchate of Serbia, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Romania, the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, the Orthodox Church of Greece, the Orthodox Church of Poland, the Orthodox Church of Albania, the Coptic-Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Ethiopia, the Syro-Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicosate of Cilicia of the Armenians, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, World Methodist Council, World Baptist Alliance, and the World Council of Churches.

After the "statio" in front of the central door of the basilica, the procession advanced to the altar of the confession where the Book of Gospels was enthroned. Various representatives of the other Churches and ecclesial communities began the proclamation of the Word of God.

Following this, the Holy Father gave a homily in which he affirmed that "true ecumenical commitment does not seek compromises and does not make concessions with regard to the Truth. It knows that separations among Christians are contrary to the will of Christ; it knows that these are a scandal, which weakens the voice of Christ. Its strength lies not in ignoring these separations, but overcoming them. At the same time, awareness of what is lacking for full communion makes us better appreciate how much we already share."

"Outside of the Catholic Church," the Holy Father continued, "there is not an ecclesial void. Many fruits of the Spirit exist, such as, for example, sanctity and witness to Christ, at times to the point of shedding blood, which lead to admiration and gratitude."

After emphasizing that the dialogues developed by Vatican Council II "have had very significant results," the Holy Father stated: "We certainly have not reached the half-way point, but we have taken important steps forward. From the strangers - and often adversaries - which we were, we are becoming neighbors and friends."

John Paul II recalled several significant moments of ecumenical commitment during the Jubilee Year, among which was the January 18, 2000 meeting, in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, "when I was able to cross the threshold of that door, symbol of Christ, side by side with representatives of my Eastern Brother, Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as the Primate of the Anglican Communion. For a distance - a distance all too brief! - we walked together," he exclaimed.

"The pain of incomprehensions or misunderstandings must be overcome with prayer and penance, with gestures of love, with theological research. Unresolved questions must not be seen as an obstacle to dialogue, but as an invitation to an honest and charitable encounter."

Referring to the duty of purification of memory, the Holy Father said: "We must forget the shadows and wounds of the past." He reaffirmed that this "also means building a spirituality of communion (koionia), in the image of the Trinity. ... The dialogue of charity, nevertheless, would not be sincere without the dialogue of truth. ... We cannot pass over differences; we cannot change the deposit of faith. ... Still, it is not given to us to 'make unity.' This is the gift of the Lord. We must therefore pray, as we have during this week, in order that the Spirit of unity is given to us.

"The new year just begun is a time as favorable as ever to witness together that Christ is 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life.' ... In 2001, for example, all Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on the same date. This must encourage us to find a consensus for a shared date for this feast."

John Paul II ended the homily by expressing the hope that his upcoming travels to Syria and Ukraine will "contribute to reconciliation and peace among Christians."

Afterwards, the profession of faith took place, followed by an exchange of the sign of peace, a hymn of charity, a prayer to the Father for communion in unity, and, lastly, the blessing of Aaron.

Before returning to the Vatican, John Paul II had lunch in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls with the participants of the ecumenical celebration.

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