Pope says Christian unity a "moral imperative"

Pope Benedict XVI ended the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity by saying the path to unity is a moral imperative. He was speaking during a special Vespers service at St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Pope Benedict said Christians must resist the temptation of resignation and pessimism when thinking about the path to Christian Unity, which he said is a lack of trust in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Attending the ceremony were a German Lutheran delegation, an international group of Oriental Orthodox bishops and theologians, and Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant leaders from Rome.

The theme of the 2011 week of prayer, "One in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer," was chosen by the Churches in Jerusalem.

The Pope said the ecumenical movement over the last few decades has taken significant steps forward, such that there is encouraging convergence and consent on varied points, as well as mutual esteem and respect and concrete collaboration.

But, he reminded the faithful that we are still far from that unity for which Christ prayed and which we find reflected in the portrait of the first community of Jerusalem.

The Pope said Christian unity cannot be reduced to a recognition and acceptance of differences and an agreement to coexist peacefully, but twe must seek what Christ himself prayed for – a communion of faith, sacraments, and ministry.

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