End the scandal of division among Christians, Pope pleads
January 22, 2014
“There is no other word for it: the divisions between Christians are a scandal,” Pope Francis told his general audience on January 22.
Breaking from his series of weekly talks on the sacraments to reflect on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope reminded his listeners of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, rebuking them for the divisions within their Christian community. Invoking the name of Christ to foment divisions is intolerable, the Pope said, echoing the thoughts of St. Paul, because “the name of Christ creates communion and unity, not division.”
“Divisions, on the other hand, weaken the credibility and effectiveness of our commitment to evangelization,” the Pope said. He exhorted the faithful to redouble their prayers for the restoration of the unity that Jesus sought for his disciples.
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Posted by: koinonia -
Jan. 24, 2014 2:07 PM ET USA
Christ spoke of the sword. He spoke of being for him or against him. He demanded of Simon an answer and he entrusted to Peter the keys. Embrace Peter folks.
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Posted by: msorensen71798 -
Jan. 23, 2014 1:31 PM ET USA
MN Mary: the one who is "keeping Catholics ignorant" is the father of lies. What I see in the parishes is apathy & sloth on the part of most parishioners, not any kind of failing of the clergy to reach out to them! How many show up for Bible study? How many even bother to come to Sunday Mass? How many do any reading on the faith - at all? But how many of us who are aware of what our brethren lack have gone out of our way to help them? It isn't just the clergy who are to spread the Good News!
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jan. 23, 2014 2:13 AM ET USA
If the Holy Father wants unity, then he'd better speak with clarity on the issues that divide Catholics. It is Truth that must be preached from the top of the Church all the way down to the smallest parish in every part of the world. Keeping Catholics ignorant of what the true teachings of Christ and His Church are, is what causes the scandal.
