Pope prays for Christian Unity with ecumenical delegation from Hong Kong

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis received a delegation from the Hong Kong Christian Council on Wednesday and reflected on how, as Christians, we are called to move forward together on the path to Christian unity.

Addressing the group before the General Audience in a room in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope thanked the delegation for their visit.

The Hong Kong Christian Council, a Protestant Christian ecumenical organization founded in 1954, is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.

Describing the visit as “a true consolation,” the Holy Father expressed his joy at seeing Christians united in the faith.

He recalled the late Orthodox Bishop Zizioulas, who declared that Christian unity would only be achieved “the day of final judgment”. But “in the meantime,” he said, “we must pray and work together.”

“It's very important: working together because we all believe in Jesus Christ; praying together, praying for unity,” he said.

Put theologians on an island!

The Pope also recalled the late Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I, who was received by Pope Paul VI and said: “Let us do one thing: put all the theologians on an island and let them discuss among themselves, and we We will move forward in peace.”

Pope Francis then noted that baptism makes us “all Christians together” and that, he said, makes us friends when we have many “enemies outside.”

The Pope explained that enemies are a reality, just as it is a reality that “the Lord has told us: the Church will always be persecuted.”

“The martyrdom of faith is always present in the history of our Churches,” he said.

Two baptisms

Finally, he referred to the apostolic visit of Pope Saint Paul VI to Uganda in 1969, when he spoke of the Catholic and Anglican martyrs who, according to him, are all martyrs of the same faith.

“There are two baptisms: one that we all have – the baptism that we have received – and the other, that which the Lord says is “the baptism of blood”: martyrdom. And we all know what martyrdom is for so many Christians who have given their lives for the faith. »

Pope Francis concluded by asking those present to join him in praying the Our Father.