ARTICLES

Christians urged to renew call for unity

By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian

More than 2,000 years after Jesus prayed, “That all may be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,” Christians remain divided.

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The celebration stands as an indictment and a cause for renewed dedication to the work of ecumenism, a cause in which Msgr. Raymond Barton, diocesan Vicar of Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs, has been involved for the last 30 years.

On January 23 the priest spoke at St. Bede’s Church in Williamsburg and called “The lack of unity among churches” as “Christianity’s greatest scandal.”

“We desire what has already been given to us through Jesus Christ, but the communion that Jesus prayed for has been broken because of sin,” said the priest.

“The Church calls us to repent and to leave sin behind. As long as this sin exists we are compelled to work towards the goal of full communion with our sisters and brothers in Christ,” he continued.

“Until there is full communion, the Catholic Church is irreversibly committed to the quest for Christian unity.”

Citing the Catholic Catechism, Msgr. Barton explained that communion between the Roman Catholic Church and other churches already exists in varying degrees, although imperfectly.

“Working towards unity brings us more and more closely to the heart of God so that our hearts are more in conformity with the heart of God,” he said.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity originated with Father Paul Watson 100 years ago, but the Catholic Church was actually late in coming to the dialogue table. In 1948 the World Council of Churches was formed. However, the Catholic Church joined the dialogue to advance communion among churches only after the Second Vatican Council.

Citing the Decree on Ecumenism, Msgr. Barton pointed out that the restoration of unity among all Christians was one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council.

According to the decree, “Division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature.”

Msgr. Barton pointed out that all Christians are united in this one Body through Baptism.

The theology of communion is rooted in the Trinitarian love relationship that exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that Jesus, the Word made flesh is the bond of love that unites us.

During a lively question and answer exchange, the subject of Eucharist was addressed.

Msgr. Barton responded, “Although those outside the Catholic Church are not permitted to receive Eucharist, the hope is that they would find strength in the presence of the Word and in the faith and life of community.”

He also pointed out that it’s a myth that Episcopalians and Lutherans have “open communion.”

“They also have disciplines such as Baptism and righteousness with God,” Msgr. Barton said. He pointed out that the Lutheran Missouri Synod does not permit intercommunion with members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

This is an example of Protestant churches also observing disciplines that may be difficult but are important, he said.

When asked what he saw as a major stumbling block towards full community, Msgr. Barton responded, “Abysmal adult catechesis, silence and a lack of initiative by many in the Church.”

He emphasized the importance of parish representatives (PERs) who work on the parish level to provide ways to interact with other Christian churches.

Shared Scripture studies, joint prayer services, visiting other churches for their worship and interchurch family presentations are some ways churches come together.

“The pastoral need to make others feel welcome is especially true in the case of interchurch couples,” the priest pointed out.

Concerning a statement from a member of the audience that God receives all Christians when they enter the Kingdom of heaven without distinction, Msgr. Barton pointed out that the communion of saints is the perfect communion with God and with one another that we all long for.

But in this life there are disciplines that exist by which we must abide even as we work towards full communion, he said.

“And that’s why we pray for Christian unity,” noted the priest.

“We pray that our hearts and minds will be opened and that all Christians will take a more active part and not pass it on to the clergy as their responsibility.”

In response to the assertion by Msgr. Barton that the Catholic Church possesses all the elements that people need to get to heaven, a woman, who described herself as a Presbyterian who worshipped at the United Methodist Church, thanked Msgr. Barton and the St. Bede community for hosting the presentation.

Commending them for holding fast to their beliefs, she told the audience, “Before I give up anything, I need to know what you believe.”

back to top