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“We have re-discovered that we were one church before and have, indeed, a great common heritage.” These are the words of Rev. Dr Martin Robra, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Ecumenical Continuing Formation, as he spoke at a Focolare ecumenical meeting entitled: “Walking together. Christians on the road to unity”.
The meeting is taking place in Castel Gandolfo, Rome from 9-13 May.
“Instead of moving away from each other, we can walk together and share with each other our stories, hopes and expectations for the church and this world in mutual love,” said Robra, adding that the unity of church and the unity of humankind are tied to God reaching out to us by grace alone in Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Robra shared his thoughts on how Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare movement, shared a spirituality of unity. “The spirituality of unity will take shape in the dialogue of life. Ecumenism than is not just a matter of doctrinal dialogue and clarifications, but a dynamic reality that includes all dimension of our witness to the world: so that the world may believe, since we are becoming one while together on the way.”
“Walking together. Christians on the road to unity” is the title of the 59th edition of Ecumenical Week which will be held 9-13 May 2017, at the international conference centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome), with the participation of around 700 Christian representatives of 70 Churches and Ecclesial Communities from 40 countries.
Read the full speech by Rev. Dr Martin Robra 12 May, 2017
Video greeting by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC
