“The relationships among the Christians in Finland developed in a way that generated hope for the future of ecumenism”. Benedict XVI said that to the members of the ecumenical delegation coming from Finland during the Feast of St. Enrico. “They are praying and working together, witnessing the Gospel publicly. And it is exactly this convincing evidence which all men and women are looking for, or need to listen to. As for the Christians, courage is required”. With reference to the joint declaration about the justification between Lutherans and Catholics, the Pope stated that “remarkable distances were covered. More work has to be done; however, it is encouraging that the Catholic-Lutheran dialogue in Finland and Sweden is taking into consideration the subject of “Justification in the life of the Church. I pray and hope that these conversations will really make a contribution to the request for full and visible unity of the Church”.
