Unity is like a Journey

Christian Unity is a bit like travelling on an aeroplane. You get out to Dublin airport. You join the interminable queues to book in. You get caught up in the crowds trying to get on to the plane ­ as if there mightn’t be enough room for everyone. Then there’s the quiet time while you’re in the air. Lastly, there’s the arrival at the foreign airport and the bustle again. Yet, if you stop to think about it, the real journey is the time when you’re in the air when nothing at all seems to be happening.

Christian Unity is a bit like that. There were the years in the 60s and 70s when it was new to us and, with new-found freedom, we rushed to each other’s churches. In the 80s and 90s we really got to know each other. Now difficulties and problems are emerging. In many cases the Churches that so eagerly joined in the search are now finding all they can say is "Yes, but….". We’re none of us finding it easy to take totally on board these agreements that were reached through serious dialogue and fellowship. Anyone can see the mutual affection that exists among us. But when it comes to turning mutual affection into reception and union it seems as if everything stops short. We retreat. It’s so much easier to be divided than to live together.

Frostiness

I would have to honest and say that the ecumenical climate at present is a bit frosty. Despite that wonderful picture of Pope John Paul II, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Patriarch of Constantinople, jointly kneeling at the opening of the Holy Doors in St Peter’s in January last year, the year ended with Dominus Iesus. That document is a strong re-statement of basic Christian faith which is very necessary in a secular age ­ but it carried with it a sting in its tail that Christians outside the communion of Rome are not true Churches in any real sense of the word. It was as if the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Patriarch were on the one hand accepted as brother Christians ­ yet not quite brothers. We as Christians have to sort out such problems if we’re honestly to relate to each other.

People of Other Faiths

Perhaps, more importantly, we have to clarify such things if we’re to try to be real brothers and sisters to those of other Faiths. Ireland today, as never before, is a multi-racial and multi-cultural community. We have fellow-citizens who are neither Christian nor white ­ yet they’re Irish. We also have those living among us who are refugees ­ many seeking refuge from persecution in their own countries. Our common united action as Christians must be to integrate them into our society ­ equal yet allowing them to retain their own traditions. We have to remember how we as Irish, after the Famine, came to be accepted into other countries. Today as Christians we have to ensure that our government’s civil servants really are civil, really are doing all they can to help these aspiring citizens when their cause is just. Many in government offices are trying to help, but some of them seem to act as if swamped by the unexpected numbers seeking their help. It would be all too easy for them to lose their cool and treat the refugees as nuisances. Thank God most don’t. But some are said to be officious. Refugees who already feel lost and discarded can easily feel threatened.

Avoiding Selfishness

The bishops and leaders of our various Churches have expressed their disquiet; so too have the Religious Orders. But the largest Christian voice available is yours ­ the laity, the people of God. Yours must be the word listened to if Christ is to be seen as real, and our Christian unity more than selfish Christians forgetful of those of other Faiths. Unity in Faith is something we as Christians must continue to pray for, even when it seems difficult. But our Christian calling must also be seen to be wider ­ showing unity and support to those who belong to other Faiths and cultures. There is no alternative. They really are our brothers and sisters ­ created by a common God, created in the true image of that God who is Father ­ as much to them as he is to us.