杏MAP导航 prays for Christian Unity with ecumenical delegation from Hong Kong
By Linda Bordoni
杏MAP导航 Francis on Wednesday received a delegation from the Hong Kong Christian Council and reflected on how, as Christians, we are called to move forward together on the path to Christian unity.
Speaking to the group before the General Audience in a room inside the Paul VI Hall, the 杏MAP导航 thanked the delegation for its visit.
The Hong Kong Christian Council, a Protestant Christian ecumenical organization founded in 1954, is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.
Describing the visit as a 鈥渞eal consolation,鈥� the Holy Father expressed his joy to see Christians united in faith.
He recalled the late Orthodox Bishop Zizioulas, who had said that Christian unity would only be realized 鈥渙n the day of the final judgment.鈥� But 鈥渋n the meantime,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e must pray together and work together.鈥�
"This is very important: working together because we all believe in Jesus Christ; praying together, praying for unity," he said.
Put theologians on an island!
The 杏MAP导航 also recalled the late Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I, who was received by 杏MAP导航 Paul VI and said: 鈥淟et's do one thing: put all the theologians on an island and let them argue among themselves, and we shall move forward in peace.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to remark on the fact that Baptism makes us "all Christians together" and that, he said, makes us friends while we have many 鈥渆nemies outside.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 explained that enemies are a reality, just as it is a reality that 鈥渢he Lord told us: the Church will always be persecuted."
"The martyrdom of faith is always present in the history of our Churches,鈥� he said.
Two Baptisms
Finally, he mentioned 杏MAP导航 St. Paul VI's Apostolic Visit to Uganda in 1969, when he spoke of the Catholic and Anglican martyrs, whom he said, are all martyrs for the same faith.
鈥淭here are two baptisms: one that we all have鈥攖he Baptism that we received鈥攁nd the other, the one that the Lord says is 鈥榯he Baptism of blood鈥�: martyrdom. And we all know what martyrdom is for so many Christians who have given their lives for faith."
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded asking those present to join him in the Lord鈥檚 Prayer.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
