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Pope meets head of World Council of Churches


Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed the Catholic Church's firm commitment to reach unity among Christians when he met with Reverend Samuel Kobia, secretary general of the World Council of Churches (WCC) last Thursday. Rev Kobia's wife and members of his delegation also attended the private audience in the Vatican. The Pope spoke briefly of the development of relations between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches, which led to the formation of a mixed working group. He recalled that to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this Group in November there will be an important consultation on its future: "My hope and prayer is that its purpose and working methodology will be further clarified for the sake of ever more effective ecumenical understanding, co-operation and progress," he said. "In the very first days of my Pontificate, I stated that my primary task is the duty to work tirelessly to rebuild the full and visible unity of all Christ's followers. This requires, in addition to good intentions, concrete gestures which enter hearts and stir consciences, inspiring in everyone that inner conversion that is the prerequisite for all ecumenical progress," Pope Benedict said. After underlining that Pope John Paul II often recalled that the heart of the search for Christian unity is "spiritual ecumenism" Benedict XVI said once again: "The commitment of the Catholic Church to the search for Christian unity is irreversible. I therefore wish to assure you that she is eager to continue co-operation with the World Council of Churches." Source: FIDES

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