LAKE JAMES

NORTH CAROLINA

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Ever since the early years of the 19^th century, the scandal of the disunity of Christians, divided as we are into many denominations, had one positive effect – a growing desire for the reunion of Christendom. An early leader in the ecumenical movement was Desire Joseph Mercier, Cardinal Archbishop of Malines (Belgium). With his outspoken support, a week of prayer for unity was begun in 1894. Fourteen years later in the United States, due especially to the efforts of an Episcopal priest, Father Paul Wattson, the week of prayer was expanded to an octave (eight days) beginning on the feast of the Confession of Saint Peter (January 18^th) and ending on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (January 25^th). Father Wattson was the founder of an Episcopal Franciscan order, the Friars of the Atonement, known popularly as “the Greymoor Friars.” After some years, both Father Wattson and his entire community left the Episcopal Church to become Roman Catholics, however retaining their special interest in prayer for Christian Unity, a focus which continues to be a particular feature of their life to this day. That focus is shared by Christians of many traditions with strong encouragement from the World Council of Churches and, in this country, through the work of the Commission on Faith and Order of the National Council of Churches of Christ, U.S.A.

The underlying biblical basis for prayer for Christian Unity is found in St. John’s Gospel where Jesus prayed “that all might be one.” As we enter the Octave of Prayer for Unity this coming Thursday, these words by Cardinal Mercier seem especially appropriate:

“In order to unite with one another, we must love one another;

in order to love one another, we must know one another;

in order to know one another, we must go and meet one another.”

This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:40 PM