Ecological encyclical helps promote Christian unity, says Vatican cardinal
August 21, 2015
The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said in an interview that Pope Francis’s encyclical on ecology not only promotes unity with Orthodox Christians but also has the potential to overcome divisions other non-Catholic Christians.
Pope Francis’s collaboration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople is not novel, said Cardinal Kurt Koch. “We must not forget that there was a great collaboration between Benedict XVI and Patriarch Bartholomew.”
“We must realize that ecumenical dialogue develops on various levels: the ecumenism of charity, of friendly relations, of theology, of culture and of collaboration,” he continued. “I consider it very important to deepen the dialogue of collaboration to defend the dignity of the poor.”
“Among Christians, unfortunately, there are major differences on bioethics [and] the ethics of sexuality in the context of gender,” Cardinal Koch added. “In this regard the encyclical can help find a common understanding.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: feedback -
Aug. 21, 2015 9:15 AM ET USA
Looking at the Lord's prayer for unity among His followers, I don't see a word about ecology or Global Warming, "They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. I pray that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me." John 17:16-17, 21
