杏MAP导航 to Finnish ecumenical group: The saints are a source of unity
By Joseph Tulloch
Every year, 杏MAP导航 Francis welcomes an ecumenical delegation from Finland 鈥� comprised of Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox 鈥� to the Vatican.
This year鈥檚 visit, which took place, as always, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, involved an exchange of gifts and reflections.
The saints as source of unity
杏MAP导航 Francis began by thanking the Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Åstrand 鈥渕ost heartily鈥� for his reflection, 鈥渨ith its mention of the witness of the saints and its broad ecumenical spirit.鈥�
He said that, upon listening to it, he had 鈥渢hanked God鈥�, since 鈥渢here have been times when the veneration of saints appeared to be a source of division rather than of unity.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 noted that the Finnish delegation had mentioned 鈥渟ome of the great Nordic saints: Birgitta, Henrik and Olav鈥�, suggesting that 鈥渋f the millennium of Saint Olav鈥檚 death in 2030 can inspire and deepen our prayer for unity, and our journey together, this will prove a gift to the entire ecumenical movement.鈥�
A pilgrim Church
杏MAP导航 Francis also noted that he had been struck by Bishop Åstrand鈥檚 reflections on 鈥渢he importance of journeying鈥�, and 鈥渢he pilgrim Church.鈥�
鈥淎s members of the community of the baptized,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨e are indeed on a journey, with Jesus Christ as our common goal.鈥�
鈥淭hat goal is not far distant or unattainable,鈥� he stressed, 鈥渇or in his mercy our Lord has come down to meet us.鈥�
鈥淗e drew near to us in the Incarnation and made himself the Way, so that we might journey safely amid the crossroads and false paths that confront us in this world.鈥�
An ecumenism of the poor and forgotten
The 杏MAP导航 went on to thank the Finnish delegation for their presence, saying that 鈥渢his meeting with you is a living sign in the midst of the present Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.鈥�
鈥淟et us ensure,鈥� he added, 鈥渢hat this annual ecumenical encounter continues to flourish and expand.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis stressed in particular the importance of always "welcoming our poor and forgotten brothers and sisters" during the Week of Prayer, including "those who feel abandoned by God or have strayed from the path of faith and hope.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 brought his address to an end by inviting those present to recite the Lord鈥檚 Prayer together, each in their own native language.
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