Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Pope Francis encourages Mideast Christians, calls for Christian unity

By Linda Bordoni/ vaticannews.va and Deborah Castellano Lubov/ zenit.org :

Pope Francis has appealed to Christians across the world to pray and to work for full Christian Unity. He also reminded the faithful that “Ecumenism is not something optional”.

Speaking during the weekly General Audience,on Wednesday, January 16, the Pope looked ahead to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that takes place from 18 to 25 January.

He noted that the annual “Week of Prayer”, on the theme “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue”, kicks off with the celebration of Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Friday.

“Again, this year we are called to pray so that all Christians may once again be a single family, according to God’s will ‘so that they may all be one’” he said.

Pointing out that “ecumenism is not something optional,” he said it aims “to develop a common and consistent witness that promotes true justice and support for the weakest through responses that are concrete, appropriate and effective”.

The annual “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” is a time in which Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17.21).

It is an occasion for Christians of different denominations to come together to pray for their unity and participate in special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services.

The theme in 2019, "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue ..." is inspired by Deuteronomy 16:18-20.

Holy Father encourages Pilgrims from Middle East

Pope Francis had special words of encouragement for Pilgrims from the Middle East during his January 16, 2019, General Audience in Paul VI Hall.

“I extend a cordial welcome to Arabic-speaking pilgrims, especially those from the Middle East! Dear brothers and sisters, always remember that God Who is Love tells us His desire to be called ‘Abba’ Father, with the total confidence of a child who abandons himself into the arms of those who gave him life. Let us start again from this word and we will experience the joy of being children loved by God. May the Lord bless you!”