Pope Francis seeks prayers for global Christian unity
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has invited all Christians to join online prayers
Updated: January 18, 2021 10:45 AM GMT
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This photo handed out by the Vatican Media on January 15, 2021, shows Pope Francis holding a private audience with outgoing US Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista L. Gingrich (R) and her husband former US lawmaker Newt Gingrich, at The Vatican.(Vatican Media/ AFP)
Francis has stressed Christian unity as the week of prayer for Christian unity started on Jan. 18.
Encouraging the faithful to pray Christian unity, Pope Francis reminded them of Jesus request that we abide in His love so that we might bear much fruit.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021 was prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp. The theme that was chosen,“Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit,” is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the church and the human family.
In the 1930s a number of Reformed women from French-speaking Switzerland who belonged to a group known as the “Ladies of Morges” rediscovered the importance of silence in listening to the Word of God. At the same time they revived the practice of spiritual retreats to nourish their life of faith, inspired by the example of Christ who went apart to a lonely place to pray. They were soon joined by others who took part in regularly organized retreats in Grandchamp, a small hamlet near the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. It became necessary to provide a permanent presence of prayer and welcome for the growing number of guests and retreatants.
Week of prayer focuses on reconciliation among Christians
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Lutheran Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, president of the Protestant Church in Germany, and Bishop Georg Batzing of Limburg, president of the German bishops conference, are pictured in a May 8, 2020, photo. (Credit: CNS photo/Christian Ditsch, epd, pool via KNA.)
The 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity should help Christians see that the closer they draw to Christ, the closer they will be to one another, said materials for the week published by the Vatican.
ROME The 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity should help Christians see that the closer they draw to Christ, the closer they will be to one another, said materials for the week published by the Vatican.