One of the Protestant Observers at the Second Vatican Council, Robert McAfee Brown, 
proposed ‘rules for dialogue’ in inter-Church discussions. I summarise these as 
follows: 

1. Each partner must believe the other is speaking in good faith. 
2. Each must have a good understanding of his or her own faith. 
3. Each must strive for a clear understanding of the faith of the other and be willing 
to interpret the faith of the other in its best light, rather than in its worst; and 
to reverse onr’s own understanding of the faith of the other. 
4. We must accept responsibility for what our own community has done, and is doing, to 
foster and to perpetuate division. 

These guidelines could scarcely be improved upon. They can provide material for reflection 
during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

SEEING  OURSELVES  AS  OTHERS  SEE  US
We should each of us deliberately set out to find what it is in “our own” religious 
community which is seen by others as a threat to them or a scandal in their eyes; and 
then gently try to correct any misunderstanding there might be in the perception. At 
the same time, we must be prepared to change, as far as is possible, what there is in 
us which might justify the others’ perception. 

Let us think of our reaction to statistics of Church attendance; do we react by thinking: 
“Their numbers of Churchgoers, their numbers of Mass attenders, are falling, so that is 
good news for us”. Think of the fuss recently made about denominational statistics in 
Northern Ireland. Was our reaction: “Their community is growing in numbers and in 
percentage terms, so we must feel threatened or afraid”; or is it: “In X more years, we 
shall (or shall still) be in the majority and we’ll have (or keep) the upper hand”.  
Surely Christians, on each side of the ‘divide’, should be thinking: “What is there in 
us which makes them feel threatened or afraid? What can we do, what can we say, how 
can we change, so as to make them feel less afraid”? 

Let us firmly grasp this truth: the vast majority of those who cease to go to church in 
one denomination, will not be going to church in another denomination, but will most 
likely be turning their back on all religion; and this will be a great loss to all of us 
Christians.  

HEALING  OF  MEMORIES
Our memories are very selective. We remember the hurts that we have endured and forget 
the hurts we have inflicted. We forget the hurts of others and ignore the part that we 
have played in causing those hurts. The Christian will seek to know the hurts of others, 
and sincerely try to recognise and acknowledge our part in inflicting them, or even 
perpetuating them. That is how healing may come; and, with healing, forgiveness and 
change and new beginning. 

Ends

Cardinal Cahal B.Daly
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2003