A-15 The Future of Christian Unity Although the message confirms the primacy of Peter, the Bishop of Rome, known in both Orthodox and Catholic tradition, it does not speak of questions of jurisdiction. I believe I have not been called to speak on this issue and so I refrain from doing so in any way. My calling is to confirm the Pope’s importance and defend his Chair against all those who tend to disobey him and rebel against him, while inspiring the construction and strengthening of the interior fabrics of unity. My primary approach to unity is that of unity through spirituality. The message is a calling for unity both intra nos and extra nos - a calling to strengthen the spiritual dynamics of unity both within the particular churches and between them. I do not know what the future structures of the unified church will look like, as the Lord has chosen not to speak on this nor did He favour me to give me any light on this, but I believe it will come through spirituality; and I believe I have been granted a foretaste of the grace of that future unity in various ecumenical gatherings. In March 2000, for instance, the Lord permitted our prayer groups to gather in his birthplace, Bethlehem. 450 people came from far and wide; yes, from more than 55 countries and from 12 different churches to an international meeting of prayer for peace and unity. We gathered as one single family. With us we had 75 clergy also from 12 different churches that came, but also other clergy from the Holy Land, who, hearing of this prayer meeting joined us as well. This ecumenical event was co-ordinated by some Jews and Palestinians who were touched by the writings of “True Life in God”. They believed in the redemption of Christ and of his saving plan in our days and volunteered to organize this meeting. When one knows how in our days, Palestinians and Jews are fighting against each other, their reconciliation is a sign of the power of the Holy Spirit who joined those two nations to work for a meeting for peace between the divided Christians. As Scriptures say: “Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness” (Jm 3:18). This is a lesson for all of us. We lived and had a foretaste of what unity will be like one day between Christians. We had speeches given to us from clergy of different churches on unity. Their speech resounded like they came from one voice and one mind. We sensed the great desire of all of us being one, during their talks. We saw and we watched the thirst of the laity and the clergy, they have for unity. But we sensed at the same time the great external wounds our division has produced on the Mystical Body of Christ. The majority of us are tired of this division, because it is not according to our Lord’s law of love. Christ is even more tired of seeing us divided. The cheers and acclamations of joy of all these nations who were bonded together, appealing for a complete unity among Christians exposed that this division is not only a sin but an anti-testimony as well. Yet, the biggest sin against unity is to have the dates of Easter separated. How good it will be when we all cry out together: “Christos Anesti” in one voice all in one day. We all say, “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Jesus Christ united us together by his Blood, so how can one deny this unity? “He is the peace between us, and has made the Gentile and the Jew into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actual destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law.” (Ep 2:14-15). How can we say “no” to God, if He wants us to unite? Could it be because our hearts have hardened? Have we forgotten the Holy Father’s words when he said: “The elements that unite us are far greater than those that divide us”? So we should take up those elements and use them to smoothen up the way to a complete unity.
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