Friday, December 29, 2006 at 12:12am
Vatican promotes 'spiritual ecumenism'
Whenever Christians of different communities pray together, witness to the Gospel and help those in need, they promote Christian unity, the Vatican's top ecumenist said.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, suggested joint prayer and Bible study, attendance at another denomination's events and working together for justice and peace as components of "spiritual ecumenism." The cardinal authored "A Handbook of Spiritual Ecumenism," a booklet published in late 2006, the Italian edition of which will be released in time for the Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Catholic News Service reported Friday.
The booklet encourages participation in ecumenical prayer services and discussions during the Christian unity week is encouraged throughout the booklet.
Kasper says in the introduction that the booklet grew out of discussions by members of the pontifical council focusing on the need for prayer and conversion in the search for Christian unity. Council members also felt Catholics needed practical suggestions for preparing spiritually for the gift of unity.
Even attending another's eucharistic celebration and feeling sorrow for not being able to share the sacrament can contribute to ecumenism, the booklet said. "The way toward reconciliation and communion unfolds when Christians feel the painful wound of division in their hearts, in their minds and in their prayers," it said.
The booklet emphasizes what bishops, priests, religious and laity can do to promote closer ties with fellow Christians while theological dialogues continue on a nigher level to heal issues that divide Christianity. Prayer should be Christians' first response, it said.
"It is significant that Jesus did not primarily express his desire for unity in a teaching or in a commandment to his disciples, but in a prayer to his father," it said. "Since unity is a gift, it is fitting that Christians pray for it together."
The booklet said conversion is at the heart of the search for Christian unity. Christians and Christian communities must examine the attitudes that contribute to division, which is contrary to Jesus' will that his disciples would be one, the booklet said.
"The Spirit calls Christians to place themselves before God, to recognize their own faults, to confess their sins and ask forgiveness," it said.
The booklet suggests that, during Lent, various Christians gather for "a common service based on biblical readings on forgiveness and mercy in preparation for approaching a minister of one's own church for personal confession of sins and absolution." The booklet also urges special attention to youth who will inherit "the burden of past division."
"It is of paramount importance that young Christians be given the opportunity to make friends with Christians of other traditions, to read the Gospel and to pray with them, to grow in understanding and appreciation of their particular gifts," it said.
The booklet also encourages bishops and priests to give special attention to married couples from different Christian communities, not just because of the difficulties they face in practicing their faith, but because they can help bring members of their denominations closer together.
Working together to help the poor and the sick and to build peace and justice is also part of "spiritual ecumenism," the document said. Cooperation is especially important where different denominations' good works appear to compete with each other or where they duplicate each other.
The booklet also suggests:
— Ecumenical cooperation in translating the Scriptures and designing Bible study programs.
— An annual commemoration of Christians who have been martyred for their faith.
— Joint prayer services on Thanksgiving and on veterans' celebrations.
— An ecumenical affirmation or renewal of baptism during Easter or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
— Organizing an ecumenical children's Nativity play for Christmas.
— Frequent meetings between various Christian leaders for prayer and keeping each other informed about major events and projects.
— Different monastic orders welcoming visitors seeking a deeper spiritual life and organizing exchanges with those of other traditions.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, suggested joint prayer and Bible study, attendance at another denomination's events and working together for justice and peace as components of "spiritual ecumenism." The cardinal authored "A Handbook of Spiritual Ecumenism," a booklet published in late 2006, the Italian edition of which will be released in time for the Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Catholic News Service reported Friday.
The booklet encourages participation in ecumenical prayer services and discussions during the Christian unity week is encouraged throughout the booklet.
Kasper says in the introduction that the booklet grew out of discussions by members of the pontifical council focusing on the need for prayer and conversion in the search for Christian unity. Council members also felt Catholics needed practical suggestions for preparing spiritually for the gift of unity.
Even attending another's eucharistic celebration and feeling sorrow for not being able to share the sacrament can contribute to ecumenism, the booklet said. "The way toward reconciliation and communion unfolds when Christians feel the painful wound of division in their hearts, in their minds and in their prayers," it said.
The booklet emphasizes what bishops, priests, religious and laity can do to promote closer ties with fellow Christians while theological dialogues continue on a nigher level to heal issues that divide Christianity. Prayer should be Christians' first response, it said.
"It is significant that Jesus did not primarily express his desire for unity in a teaching or in a commandment to his disciples, but in a prayer to his father," it said. "Since unity is a gift, it is fitting that Christians pray for it together."
The booklet said conversion is at the heart of the search for Christian unity. Christians and Christian communities must examine the attitudes that contribute to division, which is contrary to Jesus' will that his disciples would be one, the booklet said.
"The Spirit calls Christians to place themselves before God, to recognize their own faults, to confess their sins and ask forgiveness," it said.
The booklet suggests that, during Lent, various Christians gather for "a common service based on biblical readings on forgiveness and mercy in preparation for approaching a minister of one's own church for personal confession of sins and absolution." The booklet also urges special attention to youth who will inherit "the burden of past division."
"It is of paramount importance that young Christians be given the opportunity to make friends with Christians of other traditions, to read the Gospel and to pray with them, to grow in understanding and appreciation of their particular gifts," it said.
The booklet also encourages bishops and priests to give special attention to married couples from different Christian communities, not just because of the difficulties they face in practicing their faith, but because they can help bring members of their denominations closer together.
Working together to help the poor and the sick and to build peace and justice is also part of "spiritual ecumenism," the document said. Cooperation is especially important where different denominations' good works appear to compete with each other or where they duplicate each other.
The booklet also suggests:
— Ecumenical cooperation in translating the Scriptures and designing Bible study programs.
— An annual commemoration of Christians who have been martyred for their faith.
— Joint prayer services on Thanksgiving and on veterans' celebrations.
— An ecumenical affirmation or renewal of baptism during Easter or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
— Organizing an ecumenical children's Nativity play for Christmas.
— Frequent meetings between various Christian leaders for prayer and keeping each other informed about major events and projects.
— Different monastic orders welcoming visitors seeking a deeper spiritual life and organizing exchanges with those of other traditions.