Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila said the Catholic Church is always open to people of other faiths.
“The Church is inclusive. The Church is ecumenical. The Church is in dialogue with other faith traditions. The Church is in dialogue with the whole world,” said the prelate in his message for the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.”
“Our goal is Christian unity so that the world may believe,” he said in a radio broadcast on the Catholic Church’s Radio Veritas 846.
This year’s observance of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” carries the theme “Do Good. Seek Justice.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity dates back to the 19th century when Pope Leo XIII encouraged the practice of a Prayer Octave for Unity.
The Vatican and the World Council of Churches came together in 1966 to jointly prepare prayer materials for what has become an annual event.
During the week, Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal and other Protestant denominations are invited to pray in a particular way for unity among Christians.
In his message, Cardinal Advincula said the Catholic Church is committed in an “engagement and dialogue that is not limited to beautiful words alone.”
“Ours is an engagement that dares to immerse itself in the stark reality of our world, a world that is wounded by injustice, sin and violence,” he said.
“We proclaim Christ crucified. We likewise proclaim the victory of the Risen Christ,” added the cardinal.
In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis highlighted the annual “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” noting that the “path to Christian unity and the Church’s journey to synodal conversion are linked.”
“We thank the Lord who faithfully and patiently guides his people toward full communion, and we ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten and sustain us with his gifts,” he said.
