Your Eminence,
Dear Brothers in Christ,
1. I am pleased to welcome you on the occasion of the Rome meeting of the Joint
Committee of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and the
Conference of European Churches (KEK). Your fraternal meeting and the
many expressions of ecumenical reflection, prayer and brotherhood which take
place regularly in the different countries of the European continent give me
great pleasure. In the light of the Great Jubilee, in which I hope all
Christians will take an active part, the sustained attention of all the European
Churches to the cause of ecumenism is an encouraging sign on the way to
Christian unity.
2. The Second Vatican Council gave a new impetus to the ecumenical movement by
stressing the importance of the dialogue between brothers and sisters, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit; thus Christians must show their common charity and
their desire for conversion in order to overcome their infidelities, the source
and cause of division, and "to live more purely according to the Gospel" (cf.
Second Vatican Council,
Unitatis redintegratio, n. 7). "The commitment to ecumenism must be
based upon the conversion of hearts and upon prayer, which will also lead to the
necessary purification of past memories" (Ut
unum sint, n. 2).
To overcome the obstacles and resentments which may still exist, it is fitting
to be more and more committed to ecumenical life and prayer, and it is useful to
undertake common projects, while respecting the activities developed by the
various Christian denominations. Through a constantly strengthened spiritual
life, Christian individuals and communities will let themselves be guided by the
Spirit, who will lead them to the whole truth and make them bold in their steps.
Christ is urging us today more than ever, and "the approaching end of the second
millennium demands of everyone an examination of conscience and the
promotion of fitting ecumenical initiatives" (Tertio
millennio adveniente, n. 34).
3. It is fortunate that ecumenical questions are now an integral part of the
theological studies in seminaries, ecclesiastical institutions of education and
continuing formation. In this way, all those who receive a Christian formation
in their own Church will be attentive to whatever can foster Christian unity and
they will be eager to take an active part. They will help their brothers and
sisters to acquire a better knowledge of the other Christian Churches, which is
indispensable for advancing on the path of brotherhood and unity. I am also
pleased that the teacher and student exchanges between the different formation
centres and Christian denominations have been continued and increased.
4. At your meetings, as well as at your gatherings in Basel and later in Graz,
you expressed your concern for the rapprochement of the East and West of
the European continent, which for too long has been divided and wounded in this
century. Called to overcome their fears, the Christian communities of various
denominations are now invited to commit themselves courageously to the path that
leads to full unity, to make a gift of their spiritual wealth and to share it in
a trusting exchange. Christians will thus open the treasures of their spiritual
life to the people of our time, who will be able to have a deeper encounter with
the Lord. They will also help to gather into unity all God's scattered children,
in accordance with the will of Christ himself (cf. Jn 17:11-23). This sharing
will doubtless lead to an ever greater respect for particular sensitivities and
for the pastoral approach of each Christian confession, rooted in a specific
history and specific traditions.
5. The programme for your meeting includes the study of innovative projects for
giving ecumenism greater momentum, by asking yourselves about the method,
criteria and content of the new forms of co-operation to be undertaken in the
light of past experiences. Through the dialogue between Church leaders, may
Europe be the proving ground of an ever more intense search for unity among the
Christians of the continent, and more broadly, among all who are dispersed
throughout the world, while respecting the truth! Together, Christ's disciples
are to proclaim the Gospel explicitly in our contemporary cultures; they must
also be concerned to make their contribution to society at the political,
economic and social levels, becoming a leaven in building up the continent, with
respect for creation and for legitimate autonomy in the conduct of earthly
affairs.
Europe is currently faced with the issue of welcoming and integrating peoples
and communities of other religious traditions, particularly Islam and Asian
religions; the Christian Churches must show a spirit of trusting openness and be
even more involved in the "dialogue of life", to which I have already had the
opportunity of inviting the Catholic faithful and our Muslim brothers and
sisters; this dialogue opens the way to the common service of human beings in
many areas (cf. Second Vatican Council,
Unitatis redintegratio, n. 12). You are working together to meet this
challenge and you are encouraging collaboration among the faithful in order to
answer the social questions people face today: we cannot forget the conflicts
wounding the peoples of our continent, the economic difficulties which weaken
families, as well as the attacks on the dignity and rights of individuals and
peoples, especially those that harm women and children.
"Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be
one, even as we are one.... Even as you, Father are in me, and I in you, that
they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn
17:11, 21). Today, this prayer of the Lord is our prayer. It reminds us that the
witness of unity is an essential element of an authentic and profound
evangelization. Through their unity in the same Church, Christ's disciples will
enable their brethren to discover the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the perfect
communion of love. And we must remain restless until that time when, in docility
to the Holy Spirit, we fulfil Christ's prayer: "that they may be one!".
At the end of our meeting I invoke upon you the assistance of the Holy Spirit,
whose fruits are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"
(Gal 5:22), and who comes to make all things new; I offer you my best wishes for
your work and I invoke divine blessings upon you, your coworkers and all who are
entrusted to your pastoral care.
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1998 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
