Pope: The Holy Spirit is our guide on the path to Christian Unity

By Michele Raviart

The Holy Spirit is the "memory and guide who opens new and unforeseen trails where we thought that the way was closed or cut off". This was reiterated by Pope Francis who received members of the International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Disciples of Christ in audience.

The Disciples of Christ is a US and Canadian-based Protestant movement for Christian Unity.

Dialogue has been ongoing since 1977 and is in its sixth phase, scheduled to continue until 2027 on the theme "the ministry of the Spirit".

"In our own day, which is not an easy time for faith, we are united in the same confidence that the Apostle sought to transmit, as we place our hope in the God of consolation," the Pope said.

Keeping the Christian community young

"When we draw near in prayer and with an open heart to the Scriptures inspired by the Spirit, we let him speak and act within us," the Pope emphasised that “His salutary memory reminds us of what counts in life and that “nothing is impossible with God”. As the Second Vatican Council recalled, the Spirit is also a "guide" that "keeps the Christian community young", he continued, noting that in Him we have the joy of "proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and we find the strength to persevere in praise of his name, glorifying and magnifying that name“ while he "preserves our spirit from temptations", such as sadness, self-referentiality and worldliness.

Harmony goes beyond a "negotiated settlement"

The Spirit "is the real protagonist of the mission" and, Pope Francis highlighted the fact that with the eyes of faith, one can see His presence "even beyond the confines of our communities" and, "if we are docile to the Spirit", He will know how to pursue the paths of concord:

"The Spirit is harmony: let us not forget this.  He allows ‘divisions’: think of the morning of Pentecost when there was a great ‘division’ of different charisms... But then he produced harmony, which is not a ‘negotiated settlement, no: harmony goes beyond that.  And this is the way of the Spirit,” he said.

Walking and praying together

"May we never fear to pursue the paths of concord that the Spirit points out," Pope Francis concluded, recalling the historic meeting between Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople in Jerusalem in 1964:

"On the journey of ecclesial communion, and in the dialogue with other Churches and Christian communities, something that has always made me think is what Patriarch Athenagoras said, somewhat lightheartedly, to Paul VI: let us put the theologians on an island and we will journey together.  Christian unity is achieved by walking together.  Certainly, theologians are necessary: they need to study, to speak, to discuss; but, in the meantime, let us carry on, praying together and with works of charity.  For me, this is the path that does not disappoint.”