Young man dedicates years to walk the world for Christian unity

Published: 2008-04-25

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the church officially dedicates a week every year to pray for Christian unity, one young man has dedicated two years to try to heal divisions by walking across the world. Samuel Clear, 29, said when he asked friends and family whether he should circle the planet promoting prayer for unity one of them replied the idea was "too stupid to be anything but from the Lord." After he began his journey on foot 492 days ago from Cabo Branco in Brazil, Clear reached Rome and spent time April 21 speaking with Vatican officials from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity about his mission. Clear told Catholic News Service he was inspired to walk the world not as a pilgrim but as a missionary inviting people to pray for Christian unity. He also asked people he met to join his "walk4one" initiative in which Christians set their clock, watch and cell phone alarms for 4:01 as a reminder to pray daily. Born on the Australian island of Tasmania, Clear had been working for the Catholic youth ministry, Youth Mission Team Australia, before he set out on his journey.

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