“The unity” of Christians “is a blessing” and “a gift” that “we must never stop asking for to the Lord”. This was stated this morning by Benedict XVI, as he addressed the Finnish ecumenical delegation, headed by bishops Heikka and Wrobel, in audience at the Vaticam during the yearly pilgrimage to Rome. A custom that was established by John Paul II and which, noted the Pope, “has become the expression of a fruitful ecumenical dialogue” and an opportunity “for extending the ‘spiritual ecumenism’ that urges split Christians to appreciate what already unites them”. Benedict XVI then thought of the Commission for Luteran-Catholic Dialogue in Finland and Sweden, which, he said, “in the specific setting of the Northern countries, keeps studying the acquisition and practical implications of the Joint Declaration on Justification” and “thus tries to tackle the differences that still exist between Luterans and Catholics as to faith and ecclesial life, although maintaining a fervent testimony to the truth of the Gospel”. “Over these days of the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians continued the Pope we are well aware that unity is a blessing, and that we must never stop asking the Lord for such a gift”. Finally, Benedict XVI thanked God “for what has been achieved so far in the relationships between Catholics and Luterans” and wished “may the Spirit guide us to the fullness of truth and love”.
