Pope Concludes Week for Christian Unity

(26 Jan 08-RV) Pope Benedict visited the basilica of St Paul’s outside the walls yesterday evening to preside over a special ecumenical vespers service, which marked the feast of the conversion of St Paul and the end of the week of prayer for Christian Unity.

Gathered around the tomb the Apostle Paul, Christian leaders of nearly all churches and ecclesial communities prayed with the pope for Christian unity.

It was a year of anniversaries: one hundred years since Father Paul Wattson, at the time an Episcopalian minister, founded what was then known as the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. Twenty five years since the beatification of Sister Maria Gabriella, a patron of unity. And forty years since the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity joined together to begin planning the theme and programme for the week of prayer.

The Secretary General of the WCC, Revered Doctor Samuel Kobia, addressed the pope before Vespers began.

Touching on the theme this year, Pray Without Ceasing, Pope Benedict spoke in his homily about how prayer is the root of ecumenism.

Pope Benedict said Saint Paul, despite all this efforts to spread the Gospel, also insisted that it was the grace of God working through him, not his personal work.

He said a the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we are also conscious that the unity with God and with our brothers and sisters is a gift from on high. It is not in our power to decide when or how this unity will be finally realized. Only God has the power to bring this about.

The Pope noted the various anniversaries being celebrated and said that history has always given us people who pray and work tirelessly to bring unity among all Christian believers.

He concluded by pointing out that next June, he will open a year dedicated to the witness and teachings of the Apostle Paul. He asked for the intercession of the saints to stir up fervor in building up the Body of Christ and to help us pray for the unity of all Christians.