Martyrs show the road to Christian unity, cardinal says

January 20, 2011

The martyrs who die for the Christian faith, even if they come from different denominations, are the most powerful witnesses to the cause of unity among all believers, according to the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.

Citing the words of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Kurt Koch said that “between the martyrs we have perfect unity.” The example set by the martyrs, he said, should inspire living Christians to redouble their prayers for Christian unity.

Cardinal Koch told Vatican Radio that the painful facts of disunity—the fact that Christians cannot share communion—should “give a motivation of strength to deepen our dialogue of charity and truth, because the goal of dialogue is unity of the Church and then unity of the Eucharist.”

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal says martyrs are the most credible witness to Christian unity (Vatican Radio)