Pope says Christian unity moved by prayer, Holy Spirit

Published: 2008-01-25

ROME (CNS) -- Comparing ecumenism to a ship, Pope Benedict XVI said it would "never have left the port if it had not been moved by a broad current of prayer and pushed by the breeze of the Holy Spirit." Joined by the Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Methodist minister and general secretary of the World Council of Churches, and representatives of the Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, the pope presided over a Jan. 25 evening prayer service concluding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The 2008 observance marked the 100th anniversary of the week of prayer, which was begun in New York by the communities that became the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement. It also marked the 40th year that the theme for the celebration and its materials for prayer and reflection have been prepared jointly by the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Rev. Kobia told the pope and congregation that modern ecumenism was born of prayers both for peace in the world and for unity among Christians.

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