VATICAN CITY, JAN. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- As Monday begins the traditional Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, it is time to «revive the ecumenical spirit,» Benedict XVI says.
The Pope noted the Jan. 18-25 week of prayer during his address today before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The annual event, the Holy Father said, «constitutes, for believers in Christ, a propitious time to revive the ecumenical spirit, to meet each other, to get to know each other, to pray and reflect together.»
He explained that the theme this year from Luke’s Gospel «echoes the words of the risen Jesus to the apostles: ‘You are witnesses of these things.'»
«Our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus will be much more credible and effective the more that we are united in his love, as true brothers,» the Pontiff affirmed. «Thus, I invite parishes, religious communities, ecclesial movements and associations to pray unceasingly, in a special way during Eucharistic Celebrations, for the complete unity of Christians.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-28070?l=english
On the Net:
Resources for Week of Prayer: www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20090630_week-prayer-2010_en.html