?Pope Francis denounces the scandal of division between Christians – We must continue to dialogue

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary
of the Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the World Council of
Churches, the Holy Father sent a message to Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit General
Secretary World Council of Churches. The Pope’s message was read aloud on
Tuesday afternoon, 23 June, by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity, during a commemorative congress held in
Rome. The following is the English text of the Pope’s message.

To the
Reverend Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

General
Secretary World Council of Churches

The 50th anniversary of the Joint Working
Group between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches is an
occasion of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the meaningful ecumenical
relationship which we enjoy today. So too, it is a moment to thank the Lord for
all that the ecumenical movement has achieved since its beginning over one
hundred years ago, inspired by a longing for the unity which Christ intended
for his body, the Church, and by an emerging sense of sorrow for the scandal of
division between Christians.

Since its inauguration in 1965, the Joint
Working Group has fostered the necessary conditions for a greater common
witness of the Catholic Church and the Churches and Ecclesial Communities of
the World Council of Churches. Reflecting on these past 50 years, we should be
encouraged by the collaboration which the Joint Working Group has promoted, not
only in ecumenical issues, but also in the areas of interreligious dialogue,
peace and social justice, and works of charity and humanitarian aid. The Joint
Working Group should not be an inward-looking forum. Rather, it must become
ever more a “think-tank”, open to all the opportunities and challenges facing
the Churches today in their mission of accompanying suffering humanity on the
path to the Kingdom, by imbuing society and culture with Gospel truths and
values.

In my Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
Gaudium, I noted that realities are more important than ideas (cf. n. 233).
The Joint Working Group must be oriented to addressing the real concerns of the
Churches throughout the world. In this way, it will be better suited to
proposing collaborative steps that not only draw the Churches closer together,
but also ensure that they offer an effective diakonia suited to the
people’s needs.

In fulfilling this task, the Joint Working
Group distinguishes itself by its own character and aims. The nine reports
produced thus far bear witness to the growing understanding and appreciation of
the bonds of brotherhood and reconciliation which, in the context of the
changing landscape of Christianity in the modern world, sustain Christians in
their common witness and evangelizing mission. We must recognize, though, that
in spite of the many ecumenical achievements of the past half century,
Christian mission and witness still suffer due to our divisions. Disagreements
on various subjects — in particular anthropological, ethical and social issues,
as well as issues related to the understanding of the nature and conditions of
the unity we seek — demand further sustained efforts. Our dialogue must
continue! I encourage the Joint Working Group to further its discussion on
crucial ecumenical issues and, at the same time, to promote ways for Christians
to testify together to the real, though imperfect, communion shared by all the
baptized. May we always trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to assist and
guide our journey, often in new and sometimes unexpected ways.

This anniversary similarly is an
opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who, these past 50 years,
have tirelessly served the cause of Christian unity and advanced the joyful
proclamation of the Gospel (cf. Mt 28:18-20). Let us join together in imploring
our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and in the power of the
Holy Spirit, to grant us the gift of full visible unity among all Christians,
so that the Church will ever more be a sign of hope to the world and an
instrument of reconciliation for all peoples.