杏MAP导航

Vatican News staff writer

In the message to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 杏MAP导航 Francis calls to mind 鈥渢he charity, apostolic zeal and perseverance" of Saint Andrew, which he says 鈥渋s a source of encouragement in these difficult and critical times.鈥� 

The 杏MAP导航 emphasizes, 鈥淕iving glory to God also strengthens our faith and hope in the one who welcomed into eternal life the holy martyr Andrew, whose faith endured in time of trial.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis also recalls with great joy the presence of the Patriarch at the international meeting for peace that was in held in Rome on 20 October this year, along with other religious leaders.

Challenges in our world

鈥淭ogether with the challenges posed by the current pandemic,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 underlines, 鈥渨ar continues to afflict many parts of the world, while new armed conflicts emerge to steal the lives of countless men and women.鈥�

He notes that 鈥渁ll initiatives taken by national and international entities aimed at promoting peace are useful and necessary.鈥� Yet, 杏MAP导航 Francis continues, 鈥渃onflict and violence will never cease until all people reach a deeper awareness that they have a mutual responsibility as brothers and sisters.鈥�

The example of Christian Churches

In light of this, the 杏MAP导航 points out that the Christian Churches, together with other religious traditions, 鈥渉ave a primary duty to offer an example of dialogue, mutual respect and practical cooperation.鈥�

Expressing his gratitude to God, the 杏MAP导航 says he himself has experienced 鈥渢his fraternity at first hand.鈥�

The path to full communion

In his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledges that the desire for ever greater closeness and understanding between Christians 鈥渨as manifest in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople before the Catholic Church and other Churches engaged themselves in dialogue.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 goes on to say that this can be seen clearly in the encyclical letter of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate addressed to the Churches worldwide exactly one hundred years ago, and which, he remarks, 鈥渞emains relevant today.鈥�

鈥淲e can thank God that relations between the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate have grown much over the past century, even as we continue to yearn for the goal of the restoration of full communion expressed through participation at the same Eucharistic altar,鈥� says 杏MAP导航 Francis. 

Acknowledging that obstacles still remain on the road to unity, the 杏MAP导航 also says he is confident that by 鈥渨alking together in mutual love and pursuing theological dialogue, we will reach that goal.鈥�

Common faith in Jesus

This hope, he concludes, 鈥渋s based on our common faith in Jesus Christ, sent by God the Father to gather all people into one body, and the cornerstone of the one and holy Church, God鈥檚 holy temple, in which all of us are living stones, each according to our own particular charism or ministry bestowed by the Holy Spirit.鈥�