Pope Francis: Christian Unity Not Division
GENERAL AUDIENCE
St. Peter’s Square
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We affirm in the Creed that the Church is one and that she is holy. One because she has her origin in the Triune God, mystery of unity and full communion. Holy since she is founded by Jesus Christ, enlivened by his Holy Spirit, and filled with his love and salvation.
While we, the members of the Church, are sinners, the unity and holiness of the Church arise from God and call us daily to conversion. We have an intercessor in Jesus, who prays, especially in his passion, for our unity with him and the Father, and with each other. Unfortunately, we know well the sins against unity – jealousy, envy, antipathy – which come about when we place ourselves at the center and which occur even in our parish communities.
God’s will, however, is that we grow in our capacity to welcome one another, to forgive and to love, and to resemble Jesus. This is the holiness of the Church – to recognize the image of God in one another. May we all examine our consciences and ask forgiveness for the times when we have given rise to division or misunderstanding in our communities, and may our relationships mirror more beautifully and joyfully the unity of Jesus and the Father.
