Only Justice
Thursday 17th January 2019Tomorrow we start the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The annual “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” is a time in which Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17.21).
It is an occasion for Christians of different denominations to come together to pray for their unity and participate in special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. If your parish is holding a special celebration please do get in touch.
Resources for #wpcu2019 adapted for churches in Britain and Ireland are available at https://ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer
This years theme is ‘Only Justice’. Material for 2019 originates from the churches of Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis upon the need for unity alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. The resources also highlight issues of economic injustice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation
The Christians of Indonesia found that the words of Deuteronomy, spoke powerfully to their situation.
‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue.’ Deuteronomy 16:18-20,
Speaking during the weekly General Audience, the Pope looked ahead to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that takes place from 18 to 25 January.
He noted that the annual “Week of Prayer”, on the theme “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue”, kicks off with the celebration of Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Friday.
“Again, this year we are called to pray so that all Christians may once again be a single family, according to God’s will ‘so that they may all be one’” he said.
Pointing out that “ecumenism is not something optional,” he said it aims “to develop a common and consistent witness that promotes true justice and support for the weakest through responses that are concrete, appropriate and effective”.
