Florida Catholic | Bishop Wenski's Column

Recognizing 100 years of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Published: 01.23.08

this initiative is hardly a “modern” innovation, for Jesus himself prayed to his Father “that they may be one. …”

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began Friday, Jan. 18, and will conclude Jan. 25, a day observed in many Christian confessions as the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. That the weeklong observance concludes on this day is no coincidence — for unity among those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior can only be the fruit of conversion. Such a conversion, of course, is more than just the crossing of a denominational line; it is “metanoia,” a radical change of mind and heart. Therefore the theme of this year’s observance is particularly appropriate: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17). Like in St. Paul’s own case, conversion does not come about through man’s willing it; rather, it is the fruit of grace, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Such a gift can only be sought in unceasing prayer.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of these prayer weeks. Originally conceived as the “Church Unity Octave” in 1908 by Paul Wattson, then an Episcopal priest, the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been observed throughout the world and across denomination divides. Since 1968, materials used in parishes and congregations have been jointly prepared by the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission and the Catholic Church’s Secretariat for Christian Unity. However, this initiative is hardly a “modern” innovation, for Jesus himself prayed to his Father “that they may be one. …”

Diocese hosts ecumenical
prayer event

Of course, there are many significant issues that divide Christians today — many of these issues have their roots in historical or doctrinal disputes. And since many of these disagreements come from differing truth claims, they cannot be simply glossed over. The growth in ecumenical dialogue, of which this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is just one expression, is aimed at restoring unity to the Body of Christ; but such unity is built on truth, not at the expense of truth. The goal of any dialogue is not to undermine another’s truth claims, but to understand them.

However, thanks to the Ecumenical Movement of this past century, Christians have rediscovered our “fraternity” — that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. This fraternity is seen in many concrete steps at inter-church cooperation — on all levels — especially in charitable outreach to the poor and needy. Such steps go a long way to overcome the mutual suspicion that has too often in the past characterized relations between different Churches and ecclesial communities.

And, while what still divides us is not insignificant, what unites us as Christians is even more significant. Faith in Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, is the foundation of our common Baptism. This Baptism makes us Christians and incorporates us into the Church. This faith in Jesus as the one Savior of all humanity is the fundamental agreement, the common denominator, of all who participate in the Ecumenical Movement.

We all agree that salvation can be found in no name other than Jesus Christ and so the goal of the Ecumenical Movement is a common missionary witness so “that all may believe.” Our world keenly needs this witness. For, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in his most recent encyclical, “Spe Salvi,” “A world without God is a world without hope.”

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Recognizing 100 years of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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