Pope: Faith in God's oneness, church unity essential to Christianity

Published: 2007-03-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Faith in the oneness of God and a commitment to the unity of the church are essential components of the Christian life, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Communion within the church and mission -- the proclamation of the Gospel" -- go hand in hand, the pope said March 14 at his weekly general audience. Addressing about 25,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square under sunny spring skies, Pope Benedict continued his new series of audience talks about early church leaders, focusing on St. Ignatius of Antioch, who served as bishop from 70 to 107. Pope Benedict said St. Ignatius "is called the 'doctor of unity,'" because his primary concerns were to preach the oneness of the triune God, the unity of Jesus' humanity and divinity, and the importance of unity within the Christian community. In writing about the church, Pope Benedict said, St. Ignatius emphasized both its hierarchical structure and the fact that all the faithful are bound to one another through their baptism in Christ.

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