Pope in Geneva: Ecumenism:
"operating at a loss”
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| Pope Francis addressing ecumenical prayer service in Geneva. |
In an address at an ecumenical prayer service during his
visit to Geneva Pope Francis urges Christians to walk together in the Spirit
even though ecumenism is often seen in the eyes of the world as "a great
enterprise operating at a loss.”
By Susy Hodges
Reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s advice for Christians to
walk in the Spirit, Pope Francis stressed that “for us Christians walking
together is not a ploy to strengthen our own positions” and reminded his
listeners that the Lord “begs” us for unity. His words came during an address
on Thursday at an ecumenical prayer service held at the headquarters of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) during his one-day visit to Geneva to mark the
WCC’s 70th anniversary.
“Walking in the Spirit means rejecting worldliness”
The Pope acknowledged it was “challenging” to walk in the
Spirit because it means “rejecting worldliness. It means opting for a mindset
of service and growing in forgiveness.” He lamented that “the thirst for
material things blinds us to our companions along the way and “we become slaves
to unbridled consumerism.”
Stressing the need for constant conversion, Pope Francis
told his listeners that divisions between Christians have often arisen because
at their root, “in the life of communities” a worldly mindset has seeped in.”
“Even some past attempts to end divisions among Christians
failed miserably because they were chiefly inspired by a worldly way of
thinking,” he said.
Ecumenism: viewed as “operating at a loss”
Pope Francis said the ecumenical movement came about as a
grace of the Holy Spirit but said in the eyes of the world, it is often viewed
as “operating at a loss” because it means belonging to Christ before belonging
to our own group.
The Lord “begs for unity”
Referring to the 70th anniversary of the
WCC, the Pope urged his audience to “strengthen” their steps on the path
towards Christian unity, by walking, praying and working together.
“The Lord asks us for unity: our world, torn by all too many
divisions that affect the most vulnerable, begs us for unity,” he said.
The Pope Francis concluded his address by saying that for us
as Christians, “walking together is not a ploy to strengthen our own positions
but an act of obedience to the Lord.”
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