German Christians launch Year of Ecumenism Christian Churches in Germany launch nationwide Year of Ecumenism, a message of unity in a divided world.
By Lisa Zengarini
Christian Churches in Germany are celebrating the Year of Ecumenism in 2021 aimed at strengthening their relationships through dialogue and sharing. The Year was officially opened in Hamburg on Sunday January 24 during a Divine Liturgy presided over by Orthodox Archpriest Radu Constantin Miron, chairman of the Christian Churches Association of Germay (ACK), on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In his sermon - as reported by the German Bishops Conference website - the prelate highlighted that for Christians faith and action are inseparable, recalling the theme chosen for this years’ Week of Prayer - “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”(Jn 15:5-9): ”For us bearing fruit means, at the same time, concrete action towards our neighbours an
Jan. 25, 2021 Catholic News Service ROME Abiding in God s love means nurturing one s relationship with him and with all those whom God loves, Pope Francis wrote in his homily for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. If our worship is genuine, we will grow in love for all those who follow Jesus, regardless of the Christian communion to which they may belong, for even though they may not be one of ours, they are his, the pope wrote for the prayer service Jan. 25 at Rome s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. While a flare-up of sciatica, a painful nerve condition, prevented the pope from presiding over the ecumenical vespers, his homily for the service was read by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The Tablet January 25, 2021
Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Aug. 30, 2020. (Photo: CNS/Vatican Media)
By John L. Allen
ROME (Crux) – At least so far, media outlets and online chatter appear to be reacting to the Vatican’s latest announcement that Pope Francis has had to pull out of public events with admirable (and, frankly, atypical) calm.
Saturday evening Rome time, the Vatican issued a brief statement saying the pontiff won’t preside at a Mass Jan.24 for the Sunday of the Word of God, nor will be deliver his annual address to the diplomatic corps or lead a vespers service for the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity tomorrow, due to a new flare-up of sciatica. It comes after a similar announcement Dec. 31 that the Holy Father wouldn’t take part in celebrations for News Years Eve or New Years Day, for the same reason.
GENEVA, Switzerland | 25/1/2021 Prof. Dr Dirk Lange, LWF’s Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
At the end of the Week of Prayer, we look ahead to highlights and hopes for progress towards Christian unity
(LWI) - 2020 was a challenging year for the churches, but especially for those working in ecumenical relationships which are “so dependent upon direct and spontaneous encounter.”
Reflecting at the close of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations Prof. Dr Dirk Lange looks back on a year of “consolidation and critical thinking,” as he shares hopes and challenges for the months ahead.