ò In 1961, the Catholic Church set up the Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity. It is based in the Vatican, Rome.
ò In 1964, the Catholic pope and the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople met and began a dialogue that has greatly improved relations and increased mutual understanding between these two Christian traditions.
The Secretariat for the promotion of Christian Unity is based in the Vatican, Rome.
ò In 1969, the Catholic and Anglican traditions set up a joint commission to discuss a wide range of issues and clarify where each stands on them.
Christian Unity Week
Christian Unity Week is a time when: ò Christians are asked to pray for an end to the divisions within the worldwide Christian community.
ò Christians are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding and greater respect for one another’s point of view.
Christian Unity Week was first held in 1908. It was the idea of Paul Wattson (1863–1940). He was an Episcopalian (Anglican) priest living at Graymoor, Garrison, New York. He chose to run it from 18 to 25 of January because:
ò 18 January marked the feast of the Chair of St Peter ò 25 January marked the feast of the conversion of St Paul.
Reverend Wattson thought that it would be most appropriate to hold a week of prayer for Christian unity between the feasts celebrating the lives of two of Christianity’s greatest saints.
To mark Christian Unity Week, parishes are encouraged to organise ecumenical services. Usually, an ecumenical service consists of:
ò Prayers ò Music and hymns ò Readings from the Bible ò A homily (i.e. sermon) on the theme of Christian unity.
An ecumenical service is a joint act of worship
involving members of the different Christian traditions.
