SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF FULL CHRISTIAN UNIFICATION

VATICAN CITY, NOV 27, 2003 (VIS) - The Pope wrote a message to bishops, friends of the Focolare Movement, who are participating in the twenty-second Ecumenical Congress which is taking place in Rocca di Papa, Italy. The meeting is not taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, due to the 'tragic events in recent days,' writes the Pope.

After recalling the congress' theme, 'You are one in Jesus Christ,' taken from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians, John Paul II writes: 'It is a theme that is more current than ever: it can offer a valid response to the serious lesions that afflict today's world.'

He concludes by saying: 'May this congress strengthen you in your ecumenical commitment and speed up the process toward full unity which Jesus asked of the Father and for which He offered His life! You know well how important Christian unity is to me and that I have dedicated constant attention to it from the beginning of my pontificate.'

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