Cardinal says Christians must witness together, forgive past offenses

Published: 2005-05-25

BARI, Italy (CNS) -- Divided Christians must get beyond the prejudices and hurt feelings of the past to fulfill their mission of proclaiming Christ to the world, said Cardinal Walter Kasper. "Much work remains to be done for the reconciliation of hearts," said the cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The cardinal spoke May 25 at the Italian eucharistic congress in Bari, the burial place of St. Nicholas, who is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox. Representatives of Orthodox churches, including Archbishop Kirill of Yaroslav and Rostov, Russia, were present at the congress and spoke to the delegates. In his presentation, Cardinal Kasper focused on how keeping Sunday as the Lord's day unites Christians and provides a witness to their neighbors.

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