Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity provides us with the opportunity to pray for and work toward the unity that Christ longs for us to share. Christian denominations are compelled to join in prayer because of our great love for the Lord our God and to find ways to cooperate in works of charity, loving our neighbor as ourselves.
As Christians, we are brothers and sisters united in our love of Jesus and the commitment to live his Gospel. This provides the basis for our continued dialogue and commitment to seek common ground and unity whenever possible.
During this week especially, I ask all to pray for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will create greater unity among Christians throughout the world with full visible communion as our goal, that we may be one, as Jesus and the Father are one, so that all the world may believe that the Father sent him (Jn. 17:21).
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is Jan. 18-25.
