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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January
18-25, 2002
INTRODUCTION
| BIBLICAL THEMES | ECUMENICAL
SITUATION IN EUROPE
WEEK OF PRAYER THEMES 1968-2002 | SOME
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY
( to
order materials )
"For with you is the
fountain of life"
(Psalm 36:5-9)
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your
faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike,
O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may
take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of
your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For
with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
(New Revised Standard Version)
"WITH YOU IS THE
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE"
(Ps 36: 9)
There is great hope that this new millennium of the Christian era
may soon bring about reconciliation among those who believe in Christ,
in spite of the hindrance of many historical, theological, cultural, and
psychological obstacles. It seems that we have not yet discovered the
means for breaking down the barriers that still divide us and impede a
unified proclamation of the gospel to the world.
The European churches have offered to the whole ecumenical movement a
sign of hope in the Charta Ecumenica [Ecumenical Charter] developed after
their two continental ecumenical assemblies (Basel 1989 and Graz 1997).
These assemblies had the goal of reflecting together on their responsibilities
to the gospel and to history. The charter which expresses the churches'
commitment to reciprocal reflection, witness and common action in a united
but very diverse Europe is something similar to a navigational chart that
the churches should adopt to hasten the voyage towards the port of visible
unity. We may again ask: where is the secret of reconciliation and the
key for making good use of an instrument such as a charter?
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2002, "With
you is the fountain of life" (Ps 36: 9) suggests that to unlock this
secret we need to find the way to the place where the fountain of life
is. The symbol of the fountain reminds us of the necessity to return to
the origin, to the principle, to the roots, to the essential. To walk
together, Christians need to be grounded in the Word of God, the revelation
of God's face in Jesus Christ, the renewing force of God's Spirit, the
discovery of the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Without light
from the source of all light, the problems we encounter on our way remain
shrouded in darkness and become insurmountable stumbling blocks. The fountain
is an image for water welling up abundantly. We know the symbolic and
theological richness of water in the Bible from the book of Genesis to
Revelation. Water is life-giving and cleansing. Faith, prayer and common
action can make water spring even from the desert rock of bitterness and
cleanse the sin of division in Christendom.
This year's local group has given us the opportunity to reflect positively
on the common source of life that we share. We all draw life from the
one source of creation: the life giving Triune God. Throughout the history
of salvation God has shown his steadfast love by creating, sustaining,
renewing and redeeming humanity. As the fountain of life and the source
of light, God revealed the depth of that love in Jesus Christ who came
to draw all to himself with his abundant offer of the fullness of life,
the very life of God. Jesus' love knew no bounds as he embraced all of
sinful creation in his death on the cross. From the tree of life, he reconciled
sinners to God. In the resurrection of Jesus, God confirmed his offer
of abundant life to all who accept Jesus as Lord and are baptized into
Christ and clothed with Christ. In Christ we are one, and heirs according
to God's promise (cf. Gal 3: 27-29). It is by one baptism that we are
united to Christ in faith, and also united to each other in the communion
of Christ's body (cf. 1Cor 12: 13). This fundamental unity is what all
Christians share and for what Jesus prayed on the eve of his death. The
scandal of divided Christians urges us to recognize what we share in common
in the one baptism and to bear witness visibly to this in the world.
The texts for the eight days provide a reflection on the common source
of life that we share. We are part of God's creation (day 1), given life
from the Trinity, and created in God's image and likeness. God's faithful
love is freely offered to all who will accept it in Jesus, saviour and
redeemer of humanity. When Jesus is baptized, God reveals that all people
have access to the fountain of life in Jesus, the spiritual rock from
whence springs life-giving water (day 2). However, on our journey, we
encounter many personal and communal challenges. The same is true for
the churches on their ecumenical journey. In spite of the temptation for
us to give up in the face of these anxieties and doubts, God gives us
the assurance that he will sustain us with water from the fountain of
life (day 3). Sin entered our world because humans freely chose it. The
same water that sprung from the source of life now has to restore life
where death reigned. Because of God's steadfast love, he renewed creation
in his Son, Jesus, who came to show the way to the kingdom of God. Jesus
taught that no one could enter without being born of water and the spirit.
Christians have come to realize that through our baptism we have become
a new creation and members of one another in the one body of Christ (day
4). The encounter with God, the fountain of life, in baptism generates
a new vision of the human person and community, and new ways of acting
and witnessing in the world (day 5). As disciples of Christ, we are invited
to carry on his mission of bringing healing and life to the world (day
6). The fruits of new life, constantly watered by the word of God, shine
forth in the lives of individual Christians as well as in the ecumenical
journey of the churches (day 7). God, the fountain of life, is also the
source of hope. The offer of new life in Christ is a gift. In accepting
this gift we enter into the communion of those who have accepted Christ
as Lord and, through our common baptism, commit ourselves to seek the
visible unity of Christ's body (day 8).
BIBLICAL
THEMES FOR THE 8 DAYS |
DAY 1
- The
Triune God, fountain of life
Gen
2:4b-10 |
God
formed man... and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life |
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Mt
6:25-33 |
"Do
not worry about your life" |
Col
1:15-20 |
"In
him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" |
DAY
2 - Jesus
leads us to the fountain of life
Ex
14:30 - 15:13 |
The
Lord has become my salvation |
Ps
36:5-9 |
For
with you is the fountain of life |
Mk
1:10 |
And
just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens
torn apart |
1
Cor 10 :1-5 |
And
the rock was Christ |
DAY 3
- The
steadfast love of God
Ex
17:1-7 |
"
Give us water to drink" |
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Mk
10:17-31 |
"What
must I do to inherit eternal life?" |
Acts
17:22-31 |
God
is not far from each one of us |
DAY 4
- Baptized
into new life
Gen
7:15-23 |
Only
Noah was left and those that were with him in the ark |
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Jn
3:1-7 |
"No
one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water
and the spirit" |
2Cor
5:16-19 |
Everything
old has passed away; see, everything has become new |
DAY
5 - God,
the source of unity
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Ezek
36: 24-28 |
You
shall be my people, and I will be your God |
Jn
17: 20-23 |
"That
they may all be one" |
Acts
16: 11-15 |
We
went outside the gate by the river |
DAY
6 - God,
source of compassion
Psalm
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Is
42:1-9 |
I
have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the
nations |
Jn
5:1-9 |
"I
have no one to put me in the pool" |
Acts
5:12-16 |
Many
signs and wonders were done through the apostles |
DAY
7 - Fruits
of the new life
Ps
1:1-6 |
They
are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their
fruit |
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Matt
13:3-9 |
"Other
seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain" |
Eph
3:14-21 |
Rooted
and grounded in love |
DAY
8 - God,
the Source of Hope
Ps
36:5-9 |
With
you is the fountain of life |
Ezek
47: 6-12 |
"Their
fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing" |
Jn
4: 7-14 |
"A
spring of water gushing up to eternal life" |
Rev
21: 1-7 |
"The
spring of the water of life" |
ECUMENICAL
SITUATION IN EUROPE
(This
description of the ecumenical situation in Europe was prepared by
the local ecumenical group. It is reproduced here on their sole
responsibility.)
For many long centuries, European culture has been marked
by Christianity. But, on the other hand, the different national
cultures have also influenced the churches. The schism of the churches
at the end of the first millennium, between the occidental and the
Byzantine Christianity of Eastern Europe, as well as the separation
in the 16th century between the Roman Catholic church and the Protestant
churches, had theological origins as well as ethic and cultural
ones. It resulted in an ecclesial situation marked by deep differences
between the diverse regions of the continent. Churches, which in
one country may be an absolute majority, constitute a small minority
in another.
Since the 16th century these divisions have also been exported
towards other continents by means of missionary activity. The modern
ecumenical movement has resulted in all European churches feeling
a responsibility towards allowing for change and for a progression
towards fuller communion.
Instead of simple coexistence or opposition of the churches,
where the differences in the area of faith brought into doubt even
those things they still had in common, the communion given in Christ
by the Triune God is underlined today and it is in this light that
ancient theological differences are illumined and judged.
I
Ecumenical
experiences
The communion between churches of the East and churches of
the West has been deepened by numerous encounters and dialogues,
not only between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches,
but also between Reformed churches and Eastern Orthodox churches.
From an ecumenical point of view, the Declaration on the
Christological Differences between Orthodox churches and Pre-Chalcedonian
churches (1993) is extremely significant.
The Orthodox churches and the Reformed churches founded,
in 1959, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in order to promote
common witness and service in European society. It was precisely
in Europe eleven years earlier that the World Council of Churches
was founded.
Catholic-Protestant relations have changed fundamentally
over the last few years. At the jubilee of the Augsburg Confession
- since 1530 the most significant Lutheran confession of faith -
a joint document was drawn up "All Under One Christ" Almost
everywhere in Europe, regular exchanges take place by means of ecumenical
worship services and collaboration at many levels. The countries
of central Europe, where confessional diversity is considerable,
play a pioneering role in this. The "Joint Declaration on the
Doctrine of Justification" signed by the Lutheran World Federation
and the Roman Catholic Church, in 1999, deserves particular attention.
Protestantism, broken up between different churches, seeks
and increasingly finds its unity within the ecumenical movement.
In the Leuenberg Agreement, signed in 1973, the Lutheran, Reformed
and United churches of Europe declare common recognition and "pulpit
and altar/table fellowship". The Methodist churches have since
joined the Leuenberg ecclesial communion. The Anglican churches
have concluded agreements of reciprocal recognition with the Protestant
church of Germany (Meissen, 1988), with the Scandinavian and Baltic
Lutheran churches (Porvoo, 1994) and with the Protestant churches
of France (Reuilly, 1999).
Ecumenical
structures
These ecumenical approaches, significant from the point of
view of the history of the churches, must now be received and experienced
amongst all God's people. For that to happen European ecclesial
institutions must work more together on an ecumenical level (diaconia
and social work, peace work, ministries for women, for men, for
young people, etc.) The close relations which exist since the missionary
era with churches outside Europe give food for thought to European
churches. The partnerships between churches and, also between parishes,
stimulate ecumenism.
In almost all European countries national councils of churches
exist with an increasing participation of the Roman Catholic Church.
At the level of local ecumenism, and above all in numerous confessional-mixed
homes, there exists a spirituality which encourages the ecumenical
movement.
There are obvious brakes put on the ecumenical movement as
well! Many Christians and churches frequently exist in a situation
where they make do with little. "Ecumenism is all very fine
and good. But is it so much better when we are alone": This
remark, captured after an ecumenical worship, shows that ecumenical
openness and spirituality are more necessary than ever.
II
The
churches faced with a new commitment
Europe must face up to enormous tasks which necessitate
moving forward with more ardour towards reconciliation between churches.
Since 1989, the political crisis which Europe experienced
opened a new stage in the relations between churches of the East
and churches of the West. For the fact that previously the churches
had lived through quite different histories has resulted in a wealth
of ignorance, incomprehension and suspicion on all sides.
The European churches are conscious of having a new responsibility
in the face of the great problems of our times, such as: community
life comprising a diversity of cultures, peoples and religions and
in particular the encounter with Islam; the meaning of life; the
encounter with new groups or religious movements which spring up
outside the churches; the exchange of gifts between world religions;
questions concerning human rights, from the possibilities offered
by genetic engineering to cloning, and new dilemmas concerning the
nature of the family unit, and the environment, etc.
The formation of the European Union demands the vigilance
of the churches, especially concerning questions of ethics and culture.
The churches must make sure that the unity of Europe is brought
about in the perspective of equitable exchanges with other continents.
It is only together that the European churches can face up
the these great challenges.
Collaboration between CEC and the CCEE
The Conference of European Churches brings together 126 Anglican,
Protestant, Orthodox and Old Catholic churches. The Council of Episcopal
Conferences of Europe groups together the 34 episcopal conferences
of the continent. The CEC and the CCEE each represent about half
the Christians in Europe.
The collaboration between the two bodies constitutes a true
ecumenical reality in Europe. It started in 1971 and has led to
many common encounters such as those of Chantilly, Riva del Garda/Trent,
Erfurt, Santiago de Compostela, Assisi and at summits such as the
two European ecumenical assemblies (EEAs).
The European ecumenical assembly of 1989 in Basle, Switzerland,
brought together all Christians for the first time in our continent
around the theme "Peace with Justice for the Whole Creation".
In 1997, in the Austrian city of Graz, more than 10,000 delegates
from all the churches of Europe and around 200 churches and episcopal
conferences met to consider the theme: "Reconciliation - Gift
of God and Source of New Life".
The joint committee "Islam in Europe" has established
a network of meetings with Islam ; reciprocity, mixed marriages,
relations between religion and state, prayer within religions and
between religions.
The commission on "Church and Society" of CEC and
the commission of Catholic episcopates in the European community
(COMECE) both hold their sessions in Brussels and accompany the
work of the European political institutions.
In the Easter week of 2001, 100 leaders and delegates of
churches and ecumenical movements and 100 young people will meet,
in Strasbourg, France, for exchanges between generations and to
define guidelines for the beginning of the third millennium.
The churches of Europe have been engaged for many years in
a demanding project with great potential: The Charta Ecumenica [Ecumenical
Charter] for Europe. This will allow the churches to define the
goals they wish to reach and determine the rules to travel the way
together.
Prospects
for the future
The Ecumenical Assembly of Graz has described the challenges
before the churches that they may go forward to visible unity:
-
The necessity for an ecumenical spirituality and culture which
lead the faithful to the heart of the gospel;
-
The enlargement of this ecumenical culture to include all believers;
-
The opening of a new ecumenical space which can welcome confessional
families in their particularity, but also the new churches of
the east and west of Europe, from the north and south of the world.
This space must be free of the obstacles linked to history, culture,
psychology and law, in order to allow for a true theological dialogue;
-
The deepening of dialogue, in order that there is no contradiction
between the concept of dialogue and the concept of truth;
-
The development of a living ecumenism which is evidenced by acts
of love, encounter and humble service, that each may have a share
in the gifts of all.
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WEEK OF
PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
THEMES 1968-2002 |
In
1968, official joint preparation of the materials began by the WCC
Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity
1968
To the praise
of his glory (Ephesians 1: 14)
Pour la louange de sa gloire
1969
Called to freedom
(Galatians 5: 13)
Appelés à la liberté
(Preparatory meeting held in Rome, Italy)
1970
We are fellow
workers for God (1 Corinthians 3: 9)
Nous sommes les cooperateurs de Dieu
(Preparatory meeting held at the Monastery of Niederaltaich,
Federal Republic of Germany)
1971
...and the communion
of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13: 13)
...et la communion du Saint-Esprit
1972
I give you a new
commandment (John 13: 34)
Je vous donne un commandement nouveau
(Preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1973
Lord, teach us
to pray (Luke 11: 1)
Seigneur, apprends-nous à prier
(Preparatory meeting held at the Abbey of Montserrat, Spain)
1974
That every tongue
confess: Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2: 1-13)
Que tous confessent: Jésus-Christ est Seigneur
(Preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
(In
April 1974 a letter was sent to member churches and other interested
parties concerning the setting up of local groups to be involved
in the preparation of the Week of Prayer brochure. An Australian
group was the first to take up this plan in preparing the 1975
initial draft of the Week of Prayer.)
1975
God's purpose:
all things in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3-10)
La volonté du Père: Tout réunir sous un seul
chef, le Christ
(Material from an Australian group. Preparatory meeting held
in Geneva, Switzerland)
1976
We shall be like
him (1 John 3: 2) or Called to become what we are
Appelés a devenir ce que nous sommes
(Material from Caribbean Conference of Churches. Preparatory
meeting held in Rome, Italy)
1977
Enduring together
in hope (Romans 5: 1-5)
L'espérance ne deçoit pas
(Material from Lebanon, in the midst of a civil war.
Preparatory meeting held in Geneva.)
1978
No longer strangers
(Ephesians 2: 13-22)
Vous n'êtes plus des étrangers
(Material from an ecumenical team in Manchester, England)
1979
Serve one another
to the glory of God (l Peter 4: 7-11)
Soyez au service les uns des autres pour la gloire de Dieu
(Material from Argentina. Preparatory meeting
held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1980
Your kingdom come
(Matthew 6: 10)
Que ton règne vienne!
(Material from an ecumenical group in Berlin,
German Democratic Republic. Preparatory meeting held in Milan)
1981
One Spirit - many
gifts - one body (1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13)
Un seul esprit - des dons divers - un seul corps
(Material from Graymoor Fathers, USA - Preparatory
meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1982
May all find their
home in you, O Lord (Psalm 84)
Que tous trouvent leur demeure en Toi, Seigneur
(Material from Kenya. Preparatory meeting held in Milan, Italy)
1983
Jesus Christ -
the Life of the World (1 John 1: 1-4)
Jesus Christ - La Vie du Monde
(Material from an ecumenical group in Ireland. Preparatory
meeting held in Céligny (Bossey), Switzerland)
1984
Called to be one
through the cross of our Lord (1 Cor 2: 2 and Col 1: 20).
Appelés à l'unité par la croix de notre Seigneur
(Preparatory meeting held in Venice, Italy)
1985
From death to
life with Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-7)
De la mort à la vie avec le Christ
(Material from Jamaica - Preparatory meeting
held in Grandchamp, Switzerland)
1986
You shall be my
witnesses (Acts 1: 6-8)
Vous serez mes temoins
(Material from Yugoslavia (Slovenia),
Preparatory meeting held in Yugoslavia)
1987
United in Christ
- a New Creation (2 Corinthians 6: 17-6: 4a)
Unis dans le Christ - une nouvelle création
(Material from England - Preparatory meeting held in Taizé,
France)
1988
The love of God
casts out fear (1 John 4: 18)
L'Amour de Dieu bannit la Crainte
(Material from Italy - Preparatory meeting held in Pinerolo,
Italy)
1989
Building community:
one body in Christ (Romans 12: 5-6a)
Batir la communauté: Un seul corps en Christ
(Material from Canada - Preparatory meeting
held in Whaley Bridge, England)
1990
That they all
may be one...That the world may believe (John 17)
Que tous soient un...Afin que le monde croie
(Material from Spain - Preparatory meeting held in Madrid,
Spain)
1991
Praise the Lord,
all you nations! (Psalm 117 and Romans 15: 5-13)
Nations, louez toutes le Seigneur
(Material from Germany - Preparatory meeting held in Rotenburg
an der Fulda, Federal Republic of Germany)
1992
I am with you
always ... Go, therefore (Matthew 28: 16-20)
Je suis avec vous...allez donc
(Material from Belgium - Preparatory meeting held in Bruges,
Belgium)
1993
Bearing the fruit
of the Spirit for Christian unity (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Pour l'unité: laisser mûrir en nous les fruits de
l'Esprit
(Material from Zaire - Preparatory meeting held near Zurich,
Switzerland)
1994
The household
of God: called to be one in heart and mind (Acts 4: 23-37)
La maison de Dieu: Appelés à être un dans
le coeur et dans l'esprit
(Material from Ireland - Preparatory meeting held in
Dublin, Republic of Ireland)
1995
Koinonia: communion
in God and with one another (John 15: 1-17)
La koinonia: communion en Dieu et les uns avec les autres
(Preparatory meeting held in Bristol, England)
1996
Behold, I stand
at the door and knock (Rev. 3: 14-22)
Je me tiens à la porte et je frappe
(Preparatory meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal)
1997
We entreat you
on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5: 20)
Au nom du Christ, laissez-vous reconcilier avec Dieu
(Preparatory meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden)
1998
The Spirit helps
us in our weakness (Romans 8: 14-27)
L'Esprit aussi vient en aide à notre faiblesse
(Preparatory meeting held in Paris, France)
1999
He will dwell
with them as their God, they will be his peoples (Rev. 21: 1-7)
Dieu demeurera avec eux. Ils seront ses peuples et lui sera le
Dieu qui est avec eux
(Preparatory material from Malaysia: meeting held in Monastery
of Bose, Italy)
2000
Blessed be God
who has blessed us in Christ (Eph 1: 3-14)
Benis soit Dieu, qui nous a benis en Christ
(Preparatory meeting held at La Verna, Italy)
2001
I am the Way,
and the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14: 1-6)
Je suis le chemin, et la vérité et la vie
(Preparatory material and meeting, Romania)
2002
For with you is
the fountain of life (Ps 36:[35] 5-9)
Car chez toi est la fontaine de la vie
(Preparatory material CEEC and CEC, meeting Ottmaring, Germany)
|
SOME KEY
DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY |
ca. 1740
In Scotland we
find a Pentecostal movement with North American links, whose revivalist
message included prayers for and with all churches.
1820
The Rev. James
Haldane Stewart publishes "Hints for the General Union of Christians
for the Outpouring of the Spirit".
1840
The Rev. Ignatius
Spencer, a convert to Roman Catholicism, suggests a "Union of
Prayer for Unity".
1867
The First Lambeth
Conference of Anglican Bishops emphasizes prayer for unity in
the Preamble to its Resolutions.
1894
Pope Leo XIII
encourages the practice of a Prayer Octave for Unity in the context
of Pentecost.
1908
The observance
of the "Church Unity Octave" initiated by the Rev. Paul Wattson.
1926
The Faith and
Order movement begins publishing "Suggestions for an Octave of
Prayer for Christian Unity".
1935
Abbé Paul
Couturier of France advocates the "Universal Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity" on the inclusive basis of prayer for "the unity
Christ wills by the means he wills".
1958
Unité Chrétienne
(Lyon, France) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World
Council of Churches begin co-operative preparation of materials
for the Week of Prayer.
1964
The "Decree on
Ecumenism" of Vatican II emphasizes that prayer is the soul of
the ecumenical movement and encourages observance of the Week
of Prayer.
1966
The Faith and
Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Secretariat
for Promoting Christian Unity [now known as the Pontifical Council
for Promoting Christian Unity] begin official joint preparation
of the Week of Prayer text.
1994
Text for 1996
prepared in collaboration with YMCA and YWCA.
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