Preliminary communication
MAIN ISSUES RELATED TO THE UNIFICATION OF THE CHRISTIANS IN THE DISCUSSIONS DURING ASSEMBLIES OF THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES
Milan Špehar
; Theology of Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Sixty years have passed from the first Congress of the Ecumenical Council of the Churches, and one hundred years form the first World week of prayer for the unity of the Christians. In sixty years of the World Ecumenical Council of the Churches (WCC) 9 congresses were organised in almost all the continents of the World. More than 300 churches became members of this big ecumenical organisation with whom the Catholic Church, although not a member, collaborates intensively. Through all these years of the joint work of so many members, a model of unity came forth: unity in diversity. On the global and on the national levels many steps were taken. Popes lately visit the headquarters of the ECC in Geneve, giving speeches in important occasions.
However, up to this day Christian Churches do not acknowledge to each other the sacrament of Baptism, although some already would like to participate, at least occasionally, at the Eucharistic banquet. In everyday practice we are still antagonising in small matters. But, we feel that we can not be without each other, and we must not – for the sake of the Gospel. I think that all the efforts done on the ecumenical field, i.e. that was done and projected by this World organisation of the WCC, were not in vain. Just as we undoubtedly believe that Christ wants unity, we have to believe that he will establish this unity by the Spirit of God, but at his time. Maybe we lack faith. Maybe the Lord is waiting for this mustard seed in us to move the hills which we – alone or together – can not move. But we must not wait. We have prepared the way towards a visible unity, which is surely encouraged by the WCC. But all those efforts would be invain if in small communities there were not those few people meeting together, talking, acting and collectively praying for unity.
Keywords
God; Trinity; Jesus Christ; Holy Ghost; Church; services; sacraments; baptism; Eucharist; unity; diversity; spirituality
Hrčak ID:
71308
URI
Publication date:
21.1.2011.
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