Christians united under persecution by ‘ecumenism of blood,’ Pope says

October 12, 2016

Christians who suffer persecution are brought together by an “ecumenism of blood,” Pope Francis told an ecumenical group on October 12.

Speaking to representatives of the Christian World Communions—a broad alliance of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox groups—the Pope said that persecutors do not make distinctions among Christians:

They don’t ask: ‘But are you Lutheran? Are you Orthodox? Are you Catholic? Are you a Reformed Christian? Are you a Pentecostal?’ No! ‘You are a Christian!’ They only recognize one of them: the Christian. The enemy never makes a mistake and knows very well how to recognize where Jesus is.

The Pope said that it is important to continue ecumenical discussions about theological issues. “But in the mean time, ecumenism journeys on.”

 

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Further information:

• The Pope to the Christian World Communions delegation: ecumenism of prayer, journeying and blood (Vatican press office)
• Pope: Persecuted Christians are united by “blood” ecumenism (Vatican Radio)