Pope: Help others experience transforming power of God's love

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has encouraged continued dialogue between Catholics and Pentecostals, and has urged them to proclaim with new zeal the joy of the Gospel.

The Holy Father's remarks came in an 8 July message he addressed to members of the Commission for Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue, which was published on the website of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

Begun in 1972, the goal of this Dialogue --documents on the Dicastery's website explain-- is to promote mutual respect and understanding in matters of faith and practice. Genuine exchange and frank discussion concerning the positions and practices of the two traditions have been guiding principles of these conversations, which include daily prayer services led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals.

The Pope offered cordial greetings to all taking part in the meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Commission, and thanked the Dicastery, the Commission's co-moderators, and all who made the event possible. 

Renewed zeal to proclaim Gospel

Over the past 50 years, the Commission, through dialogue and reflection, he said, has journeyed together "in order to build bonds of friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding" between Catholics and Pentecostals.

"By bearing witness to the Lord's prayer that all may be one," the Pope said, "you will be able to help our brothers and sisters experience in their hearts and lives the transforming power of God's love, mercy and grace." 

Asking them to remember him in their prayers and offering them his prayerful best wishes, Pope Francis concluded by invoking upon all of them and their families God's blessings of wisdom, joy and peace.