Christian Unity Hinges on Grace, Says Vatican Official

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, FEB. 19, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Growth in Christian unity means growing in the grace of Christ, says a Vatican official.

Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, expressed this conviction in the context of the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches. The assembly is being held in Porto Alegre through Feb. 23.

Bishop Farrell and Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the pontifical council, are representing the Vatican at the meeting, whose theme is "Lord, in Your Grace, Transform the World."

According to Bishop Farrell, "the fundamental coincidence" between the meeting of the Christian churches and Benedict XVI's encyclical "God Is Love" is "essential, as if we have gathered here, it is because we work to grow in the unity of all Christians."

"To grow in unity means to grow in the grace of Christ, which is the diffusion of the love of God in the hearts of the men and women of this world," he affirmed.

"The encyclical speaks of this, God is love, and he communicates this charity, this love to all," said Bishop Farrell, 62. "It is the same thing. When one speaks of the Gospel, when one speaks of Christ, revealed always is this fundamental aspect, the grace of God, the love of God, which has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit."

For his part, Cardinal Kasper recalled the good relationship that exists between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches. "We are not members, but we are good 'partners' of the council," he explained.

2 key points

According to the cardinal, the Catholic Church has "a centralized and universal structure, while the churches of the Council are national or regional, so that they are not in agreement. Despite this, we are able to carry forward a very good collaboration."

"The Catholic Church is officially committed to the ecumenical movement since the Second Vatican Council and Benedict XVI affirms that this decision is irrevocable," he said.

Among the goals sought in ecumenical dialogue, Cardinal Kasper mentioned "reciprocal recognition of baptism" as something "fundamental." He also mentioned the establishment of a common day for Easter.

"If we are able to come to an agreement on these two points," the cardinal said, "it would be a great step for the future."

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