Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has called for Christian unity after speaking about the sin of division.

Addressing thousands of pilgrims at his general audience in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said this morning that division is one of the most serious sins in a Christian community because ‘because it does not allow God to act.’

“What God wants is that we be welcoming, that we forgive and love each other so as to become more and more like Him, who is communion and love,” the Holy Father added.

In English language remarks read out during the audience, the Pope said that we ‘have an intercessor in Jesus, who prays, especially in his passion, for our unity with him and the Father, and with each other.’

“Unfortunately, we know well the sins against unity—jealousy, envy, antipathy—which come about when we place ourselves at the centre and which occur even in our parish communities,” Pope Francis continued. “God’s will, however, is that we grow in our capacity to welcome one another, to forgive and to love, and to resemble Jesus.

“This is the holiness of the Church—to recognise the image of God in one another. May we all examine our consciences and ask forgiveness for the times when we have given rise to division or misunderstanding in our communities, and may our relationships mirror more beautifully and joyfully the unity of Jesus and the Father.”

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