Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has called for unity, reconciliation and communion amongst the Christian denominations.

Speaking to pilgrims, including those from Scotland, during his weekly general audience, the Holy Father said we must not forget ‘that there are so many brothers who share with us faith in Christ, but who belong to other confessions and different traditions from ours.’

“Many are resigned to this division, which in the course of history was often the cause of conflicts and sufferings,” the Holy Father said. “Even today relations are not always marked by respect and cordiality. And we, how do we address all this? Are we also resigned if not, in fact, indifferent? Or do we believe firmly that we can and must walk in the direction of reconciliation and full communion?”

In front of an audience of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said that divisions among Christians wound Jesus as they wound the Church.

“During her journey in history, the Church is tempted by the Evil One, who attempts to divide her and, unfortunately, she has been marked by grave and painful separations,” he said. “They are divisions that sometimes have been protracted long in time, up to today, so that it is difficult at this point to reconstruct all the motivations and above all to find possible solutions. The reasons that have led to breaks and separations can be the most diverse: from divergences on dogmatic and moral principles and on different theological and pastoral concepts, to political motives of convenience, to clashes due to antipathies and personal ambitions.

“What is certain is that, in one way or another, behind theses lacerations are always pride and egoism, which are the cause of all disagreement and which render us intolerant, incapable of listening and of accepting that there is a vision or a position different from ours.

“Now in face of all this, is there something that each one of us, as members of Holy Mother Church, can and must do? Without a doubt, prayer must not be lacking, in continuity and in communion with that of Jesus. And, together with prayer, the Lord asks us for renewed openness: He asks us not to close ourselves to dialogue and to encounter, but to take up everything that is valid and positive that is offered to us also from one who thinks differently from us or holds different positions.

“He asks us not to fix our look on what divides us, but rather on that which unites us, seeking to know and to love Jesus better and to share the richness of His love.”

The Pope closed by saying: “Dear friends, let us go forward now towards full unity! History has separated us, but we are on the way towards reconciliation and communion! And when the goal might seem too distant, almost unreachable, and we feel prey to discouragement, let us be encouraged by the idea that God cannot close His ear to the voice of His son Jesus and to hear His and our prayer, that all Christians be truly one.”

Yesterday, the Pope announced that a meeting of the College of Cardinals and the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic churches tol be held on October 20, after the extraordinary synod on the family closes, will discuss the Christian crisis in the Middle East caused by Islamic State militants.

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