Ecumenism and evangelization are twins who rely on each other: Cardinal Koch

November 13, 2012: ‘It is our duty to reflect in depth on the relationship between the mission of the New Evangelization and the search for unity among all who believe in Christ and are baptized in his name’ said Cardinal Kurt Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He was speaking at the Plenary Assembly of the Council in Rome on Monday. The week-long plenary Assembly is focusing on the theme: ‘The importance of Ecumenism for New Evangelization’. This is a follow up on the related theme deliberated by the Synod of Bishops recently.

The scandal of divisions among Christian believers was one of the many themes discussed by bishops from around the world at the October Synod on new evangelization. In their list of propositions presented to Pope Benedict at the conclusion of the three week encounter, the bishops stressed that seeking to overcome divisions between the different Christian Churches is an essential task if the message of the Gospel is to be a credible witness to men and women today.

‘In front of the profound importance of the will of the Lord, it is not surprising that the Second Vatican Council had a very clear will of Jesus and therefore inseparable link between evangelization and the quest for Christian unity’, pointed out Cardinal Koch. He said: in the Decree on Ecumenism, Vatican Council II, states that the existing division openly contradicts the will of Christ, is "a scandal to the world" and "damages the most holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature." One of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council is to "Promote the restoration of unity among all Christians". If we understand this clear vision of the Council, it will become evident that the new evangelization will only be successful if it is revived the original goal of the ecumenical movement, or the restoration of visible unity of Christians, Cardinal Koch explained.

Going back to history, the Cardinal said that the existence of the close link between evangelization and ecumenical commitment was recognized at the beginning of the ecumenical movement in the twentieth century, which began decisively in Edinburgh in 1910 with the first World Conference on Mission.

Ecumenism and evangelization prove to be twins who call themselves and rely on each other, according to a natural internal logic. Since the Christian mission is to gather humanity in the one love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, embraces everything, it is by its very nature a "sign of unity".
But if the Churches and Christian communities will not be able to speak with one voice before the great ethical issues of our time, what harm Christian ecumenism and the credibility of the new evangelization, for which a common witness of Christian ecumenism is urgent specifically in the field of ethics. In light of the necessary link between the new evangelization and ecumenism, we can say that this is undoubtedly a basic test for the credibility of Christianity today.

A credible new evangelization is possible only with Ecumenical approach. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI speaking of the Church's fundamental mission, he said: "Our faith does not impose on anyone. A similar kind of proselytism is contrary to Christianity. Faith can grow only in freedom. But it is the freedom of men to which we appeal open to God, to seek him, to hear his voice. "