ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “Pray without ceasing”: Catholic Bishops' message for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18 to 25 January

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “Prayer is part of Christian life and the basis of communion in the Church instituted by Christ”, the Catholic Bishops of Korea said in a message issued for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18 to 25 January The message with the title “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5, 13-18) is signed by Bishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong, president CBCK Committee for Promoting Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue.
"Prayer that joins Jesus' prayer for unity in the Holy Spirit can be the starting point of authentic spiritual ecumenism." He stressed, "Christian unity does not depend on verifying who is responsible for our division, but begins with prayers in which we entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit, confessing together 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism' (Eph 4:5)”.
In addition, Bishop Kim asserted, "Our own minds and hearts are shaped by prayer as we seek opportunities to translate that prayer into practice." Then he appealed the faithful to meditate on and make efforts for ecumenism, saying "Prayer for Christian unity leads all Christians called for the glory of God to recognise how our reality of division reality is contrary to His will”.
The Bishops urge all Christians in Korea to pray to the Holy Spirit so progress may be made towards unity among all believers in Christ, expressing the wish that ecumenism may become part of daily life. They say Christians must see ecumenism as an essential mission and not only an event to celebrate once a year. “All Christians must realise that unity is a grace from God”, the Bishops recall. Various initiatives have been organised for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January by the CBCK Committee for Promoting Christian Unity & Interreligious Dialogue and by other Christian communities in South Korea, mainly Anglicans. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/1/2008 righe 27 parole 276)