Irish churches make reconciliation the focus for Christian unity
-06/09/05
Churches across Ireland, drawing from deep experience of conflict in their own communities, have made reconciliation the key theme of global prayers for Christian unity set for 2006.
Yesterday Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the official ecumenical body, launched worship resources specifically prepared for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2006.
Representing the Irish Inter-Church Meeting (which brings together the Protestant, Anglican and Catholic church leaders, north and south), the Rev Mary Hunter said that Irish Christians had chosen as the focal text for the week, Matthew 18.15-22.
This is a Gospel passage where Jesus promises to stay with his followers even if there are just two or three of them. He then calls on them to forgive ìnot seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.î
Seven is a perfect number in ancient Hebrew thought, echoing the ëdaysí in the creation story, and connecting to the Jubilee year of release from debt and bondage.
One of the personal and practical suggestions in the Week of Prayer resources is that people count to seventy-seven, slowly, and with each digit, pray for the strength to forgive someone who has wronged them.
Speaking at the launch event, Ms Hunter said that forgiveness is still hugely important in Ireland, where all communities have suffered deeply as a result of longstanding political conflict.
ìThere is thirty years of fear to overcome. Sectarianism is rife,î she declared.
Alan Dixon of the Salvation Army also made reference to sectarianism in Scotland, where churches are often accused of being part of the problem.
Six years ago a leading Scottish composer, James MacMillan, stirred a great debate by saying that there remains a strong anti-Catholic bias in Scotland.
The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, said at the time that the claim was exaggerated, but emphasized the importance of building good relations between different ethnic and religious communities.
ìReconciliation doesnít mean we always see eye to eye on everythingî, explained Mr Dixon. ìWe are on a journey together and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is one expression of that.í
The resources being made available to the churches for January 2006 include a pamphlet containing a special all-age ecumenical service and daily reflections. Prayer cards and posters are also being produced.
ìThousands of people [will] use the daily prayers at home alone or in groupsî, claimed the Rev Judith Maizel-Long, CTBI assistant general secretary.
In January 2005 the Christian unity prayer theme focused on the tsunami tragedy. And in a demonstration of closening relations between Catholics and Anglicans, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, also opened an exhibition on Anglicanism at the (Catholic)Westminster Cathedral on Friday, on the eve of the Week.
[The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship materials are available from CTBI Publications. Phone 01733 325 002 or go to www.ctbi.org.uk.]
Irish churches make reconciliation the focus for Christian unity
-06/09/05
Churches across Ireland, drawing from deep experience of conflict in their own communities, have made reconciliation the key theme of global prayers for Christian unity set for 2006.
Yesterday Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the official ecumenical body, launched worship resources specifically prepared for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2006.
Representing the Irish Inter-Church Meeting (which brings together the Protestant, Anglican and Catholic church leaders, north and south), the Rev Mary Hunter said that Irish Christians had chosen as the focal text for the week, Matthew 18.15-22.
This is a Gospel passage where Jesus promises to stay with his followers even if there are just two or three of them. He then calls on them to forgive ‘not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’
Seven is a perfect number in ancient Hebrew thought, echoing the ëdays’ in the creation story, and connecting to the Jubilee year of release from debt and bondage.
One of the personal and practical suggestions in the Week of Prayer resources is that people count to seventy-seven, slowly, and with each digit, pray for the strength to forgive someone who has wronged them.
Speaking at the launch event, Ms Hunter said that forgiveness is still hugely important in Ireland, where all communities have suffered deeply as a result of longstanding political conflict.
‘There is thirty years of fear to overcome. Sectarianism is rife,’ she declared.
Alan Dixon of the Salvation Army also made reference to sectarianism in Scotland, where churches are often accused of being part of the problem.
Six years ago a leading Scottish composer, James MacMillan, stirred a great debate by saying that there remains a strong anti-Catholic bias in Scotland.
The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, said at the time that the claim was exaggerated, but emphasized the importance of building good relations between different ethnic and religious communities.
‘Reconciliation doesn’t mean we always see eye to eye on everything’, explained Mr Dixon. ‘We are on a journey together and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is one expression of that.’
The resources being made available to the churches for January 2006 include a pamphlet containing a special all-age ecumenical service and daily reflections. Prayer cards and posters are also being produced.
‘Thousands of people [will] use the daily prayers at home alone or in groups’, claimed the Rev Judith Maizel-Long, CTBI assistant general secretary.
In January 2005 the Christian unity prayer theme focused on the tsunami tragedy. And in a demonstration of closening relations between Catholics and Anglicans, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, also opened an exhibition on Anglicanism at the (Catholic)Westminster Cathedral on Friday, on the eve of the Week.
[The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship materials are available from CTBI Publications. Phone 01733 325 002 or go to www.ctbi.org.uk.]