Full Christian unity can be achieved
Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the Church
General Audience, Wednesday 30 August 1995 - in Italian & Spanish
"In view of the present divisions among Christians, there might be a temptation to think that the unity of Christ's Church does not exist or that it is merely a beautiful ideal to strive for, but one which will only be achieved in eschatology. However, the faith tells us that the Church's unity is not only a future hope; it already exists. Jesus Christ did not pray for it in vain. Nevertheless, unity has not yet reached its visible achievement among Christians and indeed, as is well known, down the centuries it has been subject to various difficulties and trials.
Similarly, it should be said that the Church is holy, but her holiness requires a constant process of conversion and renewal by the faithful as individuals and by communities. This also includes the humble request for the forgiveness of sins committed. Moreover, the Church is catholic, but her universal dimension must increasingly be expressed in missionary activity, inculturation of the faith and ecumenical effort guided by the Holy Spirit, until the divine call to faith in Christ is fully achieved.
Thus the problem of ecumenism is not to bring about from nothing a unity that does not yet exist, but to live fully and faithfully, under the action of the Holy Spirit, that unity in which Christ constituted the Church. In this way the true meaning of prayer for unity and of the efforts made to further understanding among Christians becomes clear (cf. UUS 21). Creating agreements is not merely a question of gathering together people of goodwill; rather, it is necessary to accept fully the unity desired by Christ and continuously bestowed by the Spirit. This cannot be reached simply by convergences agreed on from below. Rather it is necessary for each to be open to sincerely accepting the impulse that comes from on high, docilely following the action of the Spirit who wants to unite men in one flock under one shepherd, Christ the Lord (cf. Jn 10:16).
The Church's unity must therefore be considered primarily as a gift that comes from on high. A redeemed people, the Church has a unique structure that differs from that which regulates human societies. When the latter have reached the necessary maturity, through their own procedures they give themselves a governing authority and seek to ensure the contribution of all to the common good.
The Church, instead, receives her institution and structure from Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, who founded her. He founded her by his own authority, choosing twelve men and making them apostles, that is, messengers to continue his work in his name. Among these Twelve he chose one, the Apostle Peter, to whom he said: "Simon, Simon...I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren" (Lk 22:31-32).
So Peter was one of the Twelve, with the same tasks as the other apostles. However, Christ wished to entrust him with an additional task: that of confirming his brethren in the faith and in the concern of mutual charity. The ministry of the Successor of Peter is a gift which Christ gave his bride, so that in every age the unity of the whole People of God would be preserved and fostered. The Bishop of Rome is therefore the servus servorum Dei, established by God as the "perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity" (LG 23; cf. UUS 88-96).
The Church's unity will not be expressed to the full until Christians make Christ's desire their own, accepting among his gifts of grace the authority he gave to his apostles. That authority today is exercised by their successors the bishops, in communion with the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter. Around this divinely instituted "cenacle of apostolicity," that same unity of all the faithful in Christ, for which he prayed intensely, must be achieved at the visible level through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It would not be in keeping with Scripture and Tradition to hypothesize a type of authority in the Church modeled on the political systems that have developed throughout the history of humanity. On the contrary, according to her Founder's idea and example, those who are called to belong to the apostolic college are required to serve, as Christ did. In the upper room he began the Last Supper by washing the apostles' feet. "The Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45). To serve the People of God so that they might all have one heart and one mind!
This is the basis of the Church's structure. But history reminds us that this ministry has left in the minds of the Christians of other Churches and ecclesial communities painful memories which need to be purified. The human weakness of Peter (cf. Mt 16:23), of Paul (cf. 2 Cor 12:9-10) and the apostles emphasizes the value of God's mercy and the power of his grace. The Gospel traditions, in fact, teach us that it is precisely this power of grace that transforms those called to follow the Lord and unites them in him. The ministry of Peter and his successors, within the college of the apostles and their successors, is "a ministry of mercy, born of an act of Christ's own mercy" (UUS 93).
The good shepherd desired that down the centuries his voice of truth should be heard by the whole flock he purchased by his sacrifice. This is why he entrusted to the Eleven with Peter as head, and to their successors, the mission to watch like sentries so that the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church might be realized in each of the particular churches entrusted to them. Thus in the communion of pastors with the Bishop of Rome there is achieved the witness to truth that is also a service to unity, in which the role of the Successor of Peter has a very special place.
At the dawn of the new millennium, how can we not invoke for all Christians the grace of that unity merited for them by the Lord Jesus at so high a price? The unity of faith, in adherence to revealed Truth; the unity of hope, in the journey toward the fulfillment of God's kingdom; the unity of charity, with its multiple forms and applications in all areas of human life. In this unity all conflicts can be resolved, and all separated Christians can find reconciliation, in order to reach the goal of full and visible communion.
"And should we ask if all this is possible, the answer will always be 'yes.' It is the same answer which Mary of Nazareth heard: with God, nothing is impossible" (UUS 102). At the end of this cycle of catecheses, the Apostle Paul's exhortation comes to mind: "Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.... The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor 13:11, 14).
Amen!"
After the Catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages
Ai pellegrini polacchi.
Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus! Serdecznie witam wszystkich pielgrzymów z Polski. W szczególności witam: trzy grupy pielgrzymów z Krakowa, z archidiecezji częstochowskiej – parafię św. Marcina z Kłobucka i św. Józefa z Wręczyny, z Rzeszowa – Chór “Cantata”, z Poznania – parafię św. Mateusza, z archidiecezji lubelskiej – parafie w Nałęczowie i Kazimierzu Dolnym, z archidiecezji katowickiej – parafie Wniebowzięcia Matki Bożej w Radlinie i w Katowicach, z archidiecezji warmińskiej – młodzież KSM, z diecezji siedleckiej – Zespół Folklorystyczny “Chodowiacy”, ponadto grupy z Warszawy, Dzierżaw, Chełmna, Kozłowa, Surhowa, Suwałk – parafia św. Aleksandra, z Kamionnej, z Doborcz, z Wrześni, z Czarnego Boru, Krywałdu, Bydgoszczy, Turka, Strzelina, z Łodzi, z Bielska–Białej, Opola, Białegostoku, z Kielc, z Tarnowa, Miejskiej Górki i Gdańska – wszystkich pielgrzymów wedle listy, jaką odczytał o. Konrad, bo on tu gospodarzy. Przyjeżdżacie zawsze do Rzymu, ażeby odwiedzić bazyliki: św. Piotra, św. Pawła, Matki Boskiej Większej, św. Jana na Lateranie i wszystkie inne większe bazyliki i kościoły. Przynosicie z sobą tutaj Polskę, nasze tradycje, nasze chrześcijaństwo milenijne i spotykacie się z pielgrzymami z całego świata. Dzisiaj tak się składa, że Polacy są sami – albo prawie sami – w Bazylice, a inni znajdują się w Auli Pawła VI.
Bardzo was serdecznie pozdrawiam i podejmuję temat katechezy: ten, który dzisiaj będzie powtórzony w kilku językach w Auli. Jest to w dalszym ciągu katecheza o Kościele, a w szczególności o problemie ekumenicznym. O tym problemie ekumenicznym mówiliśmy już poprzednio przez szereg spotkań, przede wszystkim o stosunku Kościoła katolickiego do prawosławia. Dzisiaj podejmujemy kwestię stosunku Kościoła katolickiego do reformacji, czyli do protestantyzmu w różnych jego postaciach. Z tego punktu widzenia bardzo znamienna i ważna była moja wizyta w Skoczowie w związku z kanonizacją św. Jana Sarkandra. Właśnie w Skoczowie na Śląsku Cieszyńskim są polscy luteranie, ewangelicy. Mogłem się z nimi tam spotkać i nawiązać do tej ekumenicznej tradycji, która w Polsce jest bardzo dawna, od wielu wieków się datuje i dzisiaj na nowo ożywiona wkracza w ten wymiar światowego ruchu ekumenicznego, który podejmuje cały Kościół i całe chrześcijaństwo. Módlmy się o to, aby ten światowy ruch ekumeniczny przynosił owoce. Zwłaszcza w perspektywie drugiego tysiąclecia narodzenia Chrystusa trzeba, aby wszyscy chrześcijanie jako bracia tzw. rozłączeni przybliżyli się do siebie i by nastała większa jedność, zgodnie z tym, o co Pan Jezus sam prosił w przeddzień swojej męki, swojej śmierci. Trzeba zatem uczcić dojrzałymi owocami ruchu ekumenicznego drugie tysiąclecie narodzin Chrystusa, od którego dzieli nas już tylko kilka lat.
Jeszcze raz was serdecznie pozdrawiam: błogosławieństwo Boże szczególne dla wszystkich pielgrzymów, dla waszych rodzin, dla waszych parafii, dla waszych diecezji i dla całej Polski. Bóg zapłać!
Ai pellegrini di lingua francese
Chers Frères et Sœurs,
Je souhaite la bienvenue aux pèlerins de langue française. Je salue en particulier les groupes de jeunes et les fidèles venus de plusieurs paroisses de France! Chers amis, profitez bien de votre séjour à Rome pour visiter les lieux où nos pères dans la foi ont rendu témoignage au Christ ressuscité. Vous rentrerez alors chez vous en vrais témoins de la Bonne Nouvelle.
Que Dieu vous garde et qu’Il vous bénisse!
Ai fedeli di espressione inglese
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I greet with esteem the distinguished members of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist Delegation from Japan. I also greet the Shirayuri Society pilgrimage group from Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, and the professors and students from Bunri’s College in Tokorozawa. To the Little Spiritual Fantastic Singers from Arakawa, Tokyo I express my gratitude for their song. I also welcome the Irish pilgrims taking part in the Centenary Pilgrimage of the Saint Joseph’s Young Priests Society. Upon all the English–speaking visitors, especially those from England, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and the United States, I cordially invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace.
Ai visitatori di lingua tedesca
Liebe Schwestern und Brüder!
Mit diesen Gedanken grüe ich alle deutschsprachigen Pilger und Besucher sehr herzlich. Mit der innigen Bitte, das Gebet um die Einheit aller Christen noch zu verstärken, erteile ich Euch, Euren Lieben zu Hause sowie den mit uns über Radio Vatikan und das Fernsehen verbundenen Gläubigen meinen Apostolischen Segen.
Ai fedeli di lingua spagnola
Queridos hermanos y hermanas,
Deseo saludar ahora a los visitantes de lengua española; de modo particular, a los religiosos y religiosas. Saludo también a los grupos españoles, especialmente a los Ingenieros industriales de Bizkaia. Doy mi bienvenida al Coro polifónico de Panamá, así como a los peregrinos mexicanos y de Venezuela. Os invito a todos a trabajar y rezar por el movimiento ecuménico. Con todo afecto os imparto mi Bendición Apostólica.
Ai pellegrini di lingua portoghese
Caríssimos Irmãos e Irmãs,
Saúdo cordialmente os ouvintes de língua portuguesa: Que a paz de Cristo reine em vossos corações! Dou boas–vindas aos peregrinos que provêm de Portugal da Diocese de Viseu, e aos que vieram de Tentugal e de Castelo Branco, como também ao grupo de professores de Leça da Palmeira. Desejo–vos todo o bem, com as graças divinas, na sua caminhada como novo Povo de Deus. Com a minha Bênção, extensiva aos que lhes são queridos.
Ai gruppi di fedeli italiani
Rivolgo un caloroso benvenuto ai pellegrini di lingua italiana, in particolare ai ragazzi del Seminario Vescovile di Bergamo, accompagnati dai loro Educatori e da alcuni familiari. Carissimi, il pellegrinaggio alla tomba di san Pietro vi aiuti ad amare Cristo sopra ogni cosa per servirLo nella Chiesa, sull’esempio del grande Apostolo.
Saluto poi le Suore Benedettine della Divina Provvidenza e i numerosi gruppi parrocchiali. Abbraccio con affetto i bambini della Bosnia ed Erzegovina e, mentre partecipo con sempre vivo dolore alle dure prove del loro popolo, auspico che il periodo trascorso in Italia contribuisca ad infondere in essi fiducia e speranza.
Ai giovani, agli ammalati e agli sposi novelli
Saluto inoltre i giovani, i malati e gli sposi novelli presenti a questa Udienza, traendo un pensiero dalla festa liturgica di domani: san Bartolomeo apostolo.
Cari giovani, siate persone sincere e “senza falsità” (cf. Mc 16, 15) per essere autentici testimoni di Cristo. Voi, cari malati, sopportate con fede le sofferenze pensando a quelle patite dagli apostoli del Vangelo. E voi, cari sposi novelli, impostate la vostra famiglia secondo uno stile apostolico e missionario.
A tutti la mia Benedizione.
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