Pope to Lutherans: 'may the Holy
Spirit unite what is still divided'
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| Pope Francis receives in audience a Delegation of the German Evangelican Lutheran Church. |
Pope Francis urged members of the German Lutheran Church,
whom he received in the Vatican, to continue walking the path to unity.
By Linda Bordoni
Receiving a Delegation of the German Evangelical
Lutheran Church in audience, Pope Francis on Monday
recalled his positive 2016 visit to Lund in Sweden to mark the Common
Commemoration of the Reformation.
Pointing out that “for the wounds of the past” the event
could have provoked controversy and hatred, he said that instead it took place
in a spirit of fraternal communion highlighting the fact that the last fifty
years have been characterized by a “growing communion”.
“Thanks to the work of the Spirit, fraternal meetings,
gestures based on the logic of the Gospel rather than human strategies, and
through the official Lutheran-Catholic dialogue, it has been possible to
overcome old prejudices on both sides” he said.
Ecumenism continues to mark our path
The Pope expressed his hope for a future in which all
divergences will be overcome and said “the Common Commemoration of the
Reformation has confirmed to us that ecumenism will continue to mark our path”.
He noted that full Christian unity is increasingly becoming
a necessity and a desire “as shown by the various prayers in common and the
many ecumenical meetings that took place last year in the world”.
The Holy Spirit will show us the steps to be taken
“Let us not forget to start from prayer, he said, so that it
is not human projects that indicate the way, but the Holy Spirit: He alone
opens the way and enlightens the steps to be taken”.
The Pope noted that the Spirit of love cannot but push us on
the paths of charity and that as Christians, Catholics and Lutherans we are
called to love each other, to strive together to alleviate the suffering of
those in need and of those who are persecuted.
“The sufferings of many of our brothers and sisters who are
oppressed because of their faith in Jesus is a pressing invitation to reach an
ever more concrete and visible unity amongst us” he said.
Francis urged all Christians to support each other in the
journey towards unity, also by carrying forward theological dialogue.
Dialogue cannnot advance if we remain still
He said that dialogue cannot advance if we remain still, so
we must continue to walk patiently together “under the gaze of God”.
He pointed out that themes such as the Eucharist and
ecclesial ministry call for deep reflection, but at the same time he said that
ecumenism is not an ‘elitist’ reality but must involve as many brothers and
sisters as possible and nurture a growing community of disciples who pray, love
and proclaim.
Pope Francis concluded his address invoking the blessing of
the Lord so that “the Holy Spirit descend and unite what is still divided”.
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