(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Friday with members of an ecumenical delegation
from Finland, led by Lutheran Archbishop Kari Makinen, urging them to continue working
for the goal of full, visible unity among Christians. The group is making its annual
pilgrimage to Rome for the feast day of Saint Henry, patron saint of Finland. Philippa
Hitchen takes a closer look at what the Pope had to say:
Listen:
Recalling
the theme for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which begins on Saturday,
‘Has Christ been divided’, Pope Francis noted that question was put by St Paul to
the divided Christian community in Corinth. We must ask ourselves that same question
today, he said, in the face of those who no longer see the full, visible unity of
the Church as an achievable goal. In this context, he stressed, we must not weaken
our ecumenical efforts, but must remain faithful to the prayer that Jesus prayed to
his Father ‘that they may be one’.
In Europe especially, the Pope said, relations
between Christians are also affected by the fact that we are professing our faith
in a culture which is increasingly marginalizing any reference to God or to the transcendent
dimension of life. For this reason, he said, our witness must be focused on the heart
of our faith, on the announcement of God’s love which is shown through Christ his
Son. In doing this, we can find space to grow in communion and unity, promoting a
spiritual ecumenism which is born directly from the commandment of love that Jesus
left to his disciples. Ecumenism, he added is as spiritual process which is achieved
through faithful obedience to the Father, by doing the will of Christ under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
Offering his warmest greetings and blessing to all Christians
in Finland, Pope Francis said let us never tire of asking for God’s grace and the
light of the Spirit to help us find the truth that will bring reconciliation and communion.