Ethical approaches make unity appear distant, says Vatican official

Published: 2006-01-13

DURHAM, England (CNS) -- While many of the doctrinal differences that divided Christians for centuries are close to being resolved, different approaches to modern ethical questions are making Christian unity appear as distant as ever, said Cardinal Walter Kasper. "I am very sad we are not able to speak with one voice on these issues to a world that needs to hear," the cardinal said Jan. 13 at an international ecumenical conference at Ushaw College, a Catholic seminary in Durham. The cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, received an honorary doctorate Jan. 12 from the University of Durham and delivered the keynote address Jan. 13 at the opening of an ecumenical conference organized by the university to discuss steps the Catholic Church and its dialogue partners should take at a time when full church unity seems distant.

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