In a world marked by divisions of all kinds, unity may appear to be a utopia, something we can only dream about, but never attain. The recent scandalous images of Christians fighting other Christians in a scuffle which broke out in the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem portray the divisions which have existed among Christians, especially since the beginning of the second millennium. Nonetheless, we have to say that great strides have also been made, during the last 50 years, in calmly melting the ice of mutual suspicion between different Christian denominations.
Some may recall the pioneering gestures made by kind Pope John XXIII, when he reached out in his typical amicable fashion to Anglicans and other Christians. Some years later, Paul VI - in a landmark gesture - embraced Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem. These prophetic gestures served to give way to a thaw in relations between Catholics and other Christians.
Ever since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has taken its ecumenical vocation very seriously. Building bridges and establishing contacts have become the order of the day, especially through the indefatigable efforts of the late Dutch bishop, Jan Willebrands, nicknamed the "flying Dutchman" because of his many travels in his capacity as the Vatican mastermind for ecumenism.
Since then, much water has flown under the bridge. Many declarations have been signed between Rome and various Christian churches and communities. Most of these documents were centred on seeking common ground with regard to longstanding apples of theological discord.
The most effective avenues of progress in ecumenical relations have proved to be those marked by common initiatives, favouring the dignity of the human person, assisting the downtrodden and promoting solidarity. Synergy among Christians in these fields has served to bring together those who previously were miles apart on account of doctrinal differences.
Convergence has also been sought in the compiling, in recent years, of a common list of martyrs of the 20th century - a century where rivers of blood have flown from the gaping wounds of countless witnesses from the Catholic Church and Christian denominations - who gave up their life to stand up for their Christian convictions.
The quest for unity among Christians remains one of the pillars of the Church's mission in today's world. Prayer for Christian unity is an all-round-the-year commitment. Tomorrow, November 26, at 10 a.m., the EFECW (Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women) Commission of Catholic Action is organising an ecumenical prayer service at St Paul's Church, Rabat. The theme is Christ, The One Foundation of the Church (1 Cor 3,11). This is the fundamental point of convergence for all Christians, indeed the springboard for all genuine efforts in authentic ecumenism.