Pope Preaches Unity Among Churches

NAN/

The various Christian churches need to work together now to face today’s fractured world, even if there are still differences among them, Pope Francis said on Thursday as he visited Geneva for a dialogue with non-Catholic denominations.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I have desired to come here, a pilgrim in quest of unity and peace,” the Catholic leader told an international congregation at the World Council of Churches (WCC), which marks its 70th birthday this year.

This umbrella organization comprises 350 Christian churches, including Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant denominations, but not the Catholic Church.

However, Catholics share the WCC’s long-term goal of unity among Christian churches, a concept called ecumenism.

“Our differences must not be excuses,” Franics said in a sermon. “Even now we can walk in the Spirit: We can pray, evangelize and serve together.”

“Our world, torn by all too many divisions that affect the most vulnerable, begs for unity,” he added.

WCC General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit welcomed the pope by saying that “it is a day for which many around the world have longed and prayed.”

Tveit added, “We know that we can do more for those who are in need when we work together.”

Francis arrived Geneva in the morning.

The 81-year-old pope looked tired as he stepped off his plane and into his car. He did not visibly react as a Swiss army band played an Argentinian tango by Astor Piazzolla, in honour of the pope’s birth country.

During his one-day trip, Francis also was due to to celebrate Mass in Geneva’s Palexpo conference centre for an estimated 40,000 people.

The pope has made it a priority to strengthen ties with other Christian religions, but in Germany he was recently caught in a controversy.

Earlier this month, the Vatican blocked German bishops from publishing a document that would have broadly allowed Protestants married to a Catholic to take part in Holy Communion, the rite where wine and bread is shared in memory of Jesus Christ’s last supper.

The “intercommunion” issue has been the subject of bitter debate in German religious circles, but it was not expected to feature prominently during the Geneva discussions.

Thursday marks Francis’ 23rd international trip. Previous popes to visit Switzerland include Paul VI in 1969, and John Paul II in 1982, 1984, 1985 and 2004.

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