Pope Francis: Church must model God's plan for unity
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said today that Christians must bear witness to the God-given
unity of the Church, because the world needs a model of God’s plan for peace and reconciliation
for the whole human family. The Pope was speaking to pilgrims and visitors this morning
at his weekly general audience.
Listen to Giulia Cirillo's report:
When we affirm
our faith, Pope Francis said, we affirm that the Church has one faith, one sacramental
life, a single apostolic succession, a common hope. The definition is clear, he said,
but we must ask ourselves whether we really live by this creed.
Am I one of
those who “privatise” the Church for their own group, for their own country, for their
own friends? – the Pope asked. When I hear about my brothers and sisters of faith
who suffer, who are persecuted, does this really touch my heart? It is important,
the Pope said, to feel that we are part of the Church, part of the one family of God.
Gossip, Pope Francis continued, damages our Church, our parishes, our communities
– our true riches are those which unite us, not those which divide. And finally, the
Pope reminded us that our unity is driven by the Holy Spirit, the “engine” of all
harmony.