Unity of Church and All Is a Priority, Says Pope

Holds Christmas Meeting With Officials of Roman Curia

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 21, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II told his aides in the Roman Curia that unity among all people, beginning with believers, is his foremost concern and commitment.

"Unity of the Church and unity of the human race! I read this aspiration to unity in the faces of pilgrims of all ages," the Pope said today when meeting with Curial officials in the traditional meeting to exchange Christmas greetings.

The Holy Father recalled that the Second Vatican Council constitution "Lumen Gentium" stated that the Church has the "mission to be a sign and instrument of profound union with God and of the unity of the whole human race."

He appealed to the cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay people present "to be ever more aware that communion with God and unity among all people, beginning with believers, is our priority commitment."
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The article states that this is why he convoked "The Year of the Eucharist." I found the following statement to be of profound significance:

"Believers have a great responsibility, especially to new generations, to which the Christian heritage must be transmitted in an unaltered manner," the Pope said. "For this reason, on several occasions -- especially during the pilgrimage to Lourdes -- I did not fail to encourage European Catholics to remain faithful to Christ."

Indeed, our responsibility demands that we pass on faithfully the fullness of the truth which has been handed on to us - not some pseudo-truth which may make us feel good but the authentic teaching of Christ, His Apostles, and the Church. We fail in our duty if we transmit those truths which have been "altered", rendering them no longer truth but errors or falsehoods.

The Holy Father, echoing the Teaching of Jesus, calls us to be winesses to the truth - to give testimony to the truth, not only in words, but in our actions, in our daily lives - to be an example of one who is a follower of our Lord and Savior. In this way, we can more readily pass on what it is to be a Christian and we can avoid becoming 'stumbling blocks' for others.

To promote unity among men, the Holy Father gave the same charge to cardinals that he left in his message for the forthcoming World Day of Peace: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Source.