Pope: Christian unity is hope for
suffering, wounded world
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| Pope Francis with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.- AFP |
Pope Francis has sent a message to Patriarch Bartholomew of
Constantinople on the occasion of the Nov. 30 feast of St. Andrew, patron of
the Patriarchate.
By Robin Gomes
Despite differences between Catholics and Orthodox
Christians, Pope Francis said the two communities are called to be a sign of
hope by working together for peace, human dignity and care of creation.
St. Andrew
“We can work together today in the search for peace among
peoples, for the abolition of all forms of slavery, for the respect and dignity
of every human being and for the care of creation,” the Pope said in a message
to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on the occasion of
the November 30 feast of St. Andrew, the patron of the Patriarchate
based in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Pope’s message was read Friday morning by Cardinal Kurt
Koch, President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Promotion of
Christian Unity, at a Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey on
the feast of St. Andrew.
The cardinal headed a Vatican delegation to the celebration
to reciprocate a visit from the Patriarchate to Rome on the June 29 feast of
Saints Peter and Paul, the patrons of the eternal city.
Division and communion
In the first major division among the followers of Christ,
the Byzantine Church based in Constantinople (Istanbul today) and the
Rome-based Catholic Church culminated in a bitter split in 1054 known as
the Great Schism.
However, since Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope St. Paul VI,
in the wake of Vatican Council II, Pope Francis noted the Holy Spirit has
enabled them to resume “fraternal dialogue”.
Recalling the progress relations between them over the last
fifty years the Pope said they are experiencing communion, even though not full
and complete.
Effective response to world’s suffering
Pope Francis said, “united we give a more effective response
to the needs of so many men and women of our own time, especially those who
suffer from poverty, hunger, illness and war.”
He recalled Patriarch Bartholomew’s participation along with
other Church leaders and representatives in the day of prayer and reflection
for peace in the Middle East, held on 7 July in Bari, southern
Italy. “It is a source of great comfort to share with Your Holiness the
same concerns for the tragic situation of our brothers and sisters in the
region,” the Pope said
“In a world wounded by conflict, the unity of
Christians is a sign of hope that must radiate ever more
visibly,” Pope Francis said.
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