christian unity

Bishop Loverde Hosts Ecumenical Prayer Service

By Henrietta Gomes
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 2/1/07)

In an effort to foster a spirit of Christian unity, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde joined leaders from other denominations and hosted an ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington last week.
“God calls us to gather here together to bring us to prayer,” said Bishop Loverde in his welcoming remarks. “May we be open to the spirit of unity.” The service marked the diocese’s participation in the international Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, with the theme “Open our ears and loosen our tongues.”
In order for purification, renewal and unity among Christians, one must strive for Christian perfection. To do so, Bishop Loverde called to mind the words of St. Paul and challenged the congregation to follow Christ’s example by faithfully sharing in His sufferings. “By entering into our humanity, He entered into our suffering. Let us allow ourselves, like Him, to feel the sufferings of others. Let us hear the call of Christ rather than remain deaf.”
During his homily at the service, Reverend Thomas Joyce, assistant to the bishop in the Virginia Methodist conference urged the congregation, which included Christians of various churches, to make a deeper commitment to strive for unity. “Are we going to faithfully use what God has given us?” he asked. “We must put them to work for Christ. We in our various denominations share wonderful things,” he said. “We have often failed in using our resources. So often we simply do not hear the cry of the needy around us.”
Reiterating the theme of the week of prayer the bishop said, “How desperately we need God to open our ears…and loosen our tongues, so that we may speak in word and deed of God’s message of hope.” He prayed that all Christians may be drawn together, “because we are so often separated by our different denominations. May we work cooperatively and harmoniously as the one Body of Christ.”
The universal week of prayer was initiated over 100 years ago, but its observance has progressed throughout the years. The Church encourages and calls upon the faithful to take part in ecumenical work and make the first approach toward unity among the separated brethren.
As repentance is a way to deepen one’s relationship with Christ, Lutheran Bishop Theodore Schneider said, “God is more ready to forgive our sins than we are to confess them.” As the bishop read through prayers of repentance, a few members of the congregation brought forth candles and placed them at the foot of the cross to represent each prayer.
Episcopal Bishop David Jones also joined the worship service and led prayers of intercession. “Breathe into us the desire to work without ceasing for Christian unity,” the bishop prayed. “In the same way Jesus emptied Himself let us not cling to that which obstructs us from emptying ourselves.”
Concluding the 90-minute service, Bishop Loverde said, “These words of Christ ‘be open’ apply to each and everyone of us. Christ is close to the heart of our actions, including our ecumenical actions.” He said, “We go forth strengthened that we may walk together in a spirit of unity.”

Henrietta Gomes can be reached at hgomes@catholicherald.com.