Christian Unity: Building bridges between Geneva and Rome
(Vatican Radio) “What does God require of us?” That challenging question from the
Old Testament book of the prophet Micah is the central theme of this year’s week of
prayer for Christian Unity which runs from Friday January 18th for eight
days until January 25th. Daily reflections, prayers and practical
questions for this annual event have been put together by members of the Student Christian
Movement of India, with a strong focus on working together for justice for India’s
most marginalised people, the Dalit community. Annemarie Mayer is a theology professor
at Freiburg University and consultant to the World Council of Churches, which – together
with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity – helps promote the week of prayer
in countries throughout the world. She spoke with Philippa Hitchen about this
year’s theme and about her role as Catholic consultant to the Geneva based World Council
of Churches:
Listen:
“This position
was instituted in 1984 and it is located within the Commission for World Mission and
Evangelism….. the roots of this go back to the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh
in 1910.....
The major role is bridge building, in the literal sense of the
word, between Geneva and Rome...my task is to keep the two places talking, negotiating,
to see what are their concerns, to facilitate conversations....
Every year
it's the Commission on Faith and Order which helps in preparing this Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity.....the intriguing thing is that it's not just something that
stays within these institutions, but it goes out to the grass roots and resounds in
the parishes and congregations...'What does God require of us?' Is there anything
else we can do together..."