Feature 18 January 2010 | Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

15 Jan 2010

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The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18 to 25 January is: “You are witnesses to these things”  (Luke 24:48). Resources from the Vatican, and details of local initiatives here.
 


Pope Benedict XVI on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

20 January 2010 | Video highlights of the Holy Father’s General Audience in which he discussed “positive steps” in the ecumenical process during the past year:

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20 January 2010 | Extract from Vatican Information Service (VIS) report in which Pope Benedict XVI reminds us to continue to pray for the unity of all Christians …


Theme: “You are witnesses to these things”  (Luke 24:48)

resources_coverChurches around the world traditionally mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 18 to 25 January in the octave between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul, although some local contexts choose to celebrate it around the Feast of Pentecost.

The global organisers (the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches) of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity asked Scotland to host the week in 2010 to mark the centenary of the first world mission conference that met in Edinburgh. This gathering is traditionally seen as the beginning of the modern ecumenical movement, which seeks the visible unity of the world’s divided churches.

Scottish churches are also involved in celebrations for the anniversary of the 1910 conference on the theme, “Witnessing to Christ today”. Scotland therefore suggested as the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010, “You are witnesses to these things” (Luke 24:48).

Download here: “You are Witnesses” pamphlet, which includes daily reflections and a choice of orders of service …


Calendar of events:

  • Sunday 17 January | Cardinal Se