The National Commission for Justice and Peace in Karachi sponsored a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Pastor Saleh Diego said that Jesus wants all Christians to be “one” and that one must remember what Saint Paul said, “that we are all different parts of one body and one body; if there is pain in any part of our body, our whole body will feel it. “
Karachi (AsiaNews) – On January 25, the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), the human rights organization of Karachi Archdiocese, celebrated a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Christian religious leaders of various denominations, lawyers, journalists and representatives of Christian organizations spoke about the role the Commission plays in the community.
Sunday for Christian Unity is celebrated annually from January 18 to 25. This year the theme is “Abide in my love” and “you will bear much fruit” (John 15: 9,5). We must all grow together in the same unity expressed by Jesus Himself so that “they all become one” (John 17:21).
Kashif Anthony, human rights activist and coordinator of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of Karachi Archdiocese, said in his speech that the first Sunday for Unity was celebrated at the Protestant Episcopal Church’s Franciscan Atonement Convent, which is located on an eighty hill. miles from New York City.
The date of the week was suggested by Pastor Paul Wattson, (co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of Gravmoor) between the day of Saint Peter’s Confession, 18 January, and the day of Saint Paul’s Repentance which is celebrated on 25. January.
Anthony also said that Pope Pius X blessed the unified octave of the Church in 1909. Later, Pope Benedict XV wisely expanded and spread it throughout the universal Church. Hence, it is observed and celebrated all over the world. In this way, a responsible Catholic Church can approach and join other small and large denominations.
For Kashif Anthony, bringing unity and empowering Christians is not only the responsibility of the leadership of the Church, but must be a commitment of every Christian who believes and has faith in Christ Jesus.
The mission of the Catholic Church includes ecumenical devotion, which must be passed on to other groups who profess belief in Jesus and belong to other Churches and denominations. It is important to remember that we all live and grow together in the same unity that Jesus Himself expressed when He said, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
As a Catholic Church activist, Anthony said Christians should pay attention to and practice ecumenism in their lives, so that Christians from various denominations can work together and develop closer relationships and promote unity among their churches.
In his speech, Pastor Salman Babar Lal of the Anglican Church of Pakistan and the Diocese of Karachi and Baluchistan, Pakistan’s second largest church, said he was grateful to the NCJP for bringing together various churches, Christian civil society groups and communities. lawyer.
The important thing to remember is that Christians must follow the words of Jesus so that we become one, not only in the happiest of times, but also in the sad moments of our lives.
Unity begins with love and unity is a basic need among Church, community and minority leaders in Pakistan. We must follow what Jesus said: “Love one another as I have loved you”.
Sabir Michael, professor at Karachi University, represents organizations and human rights defenders. He noted that there are two basic institutions, the family and the Church, in which society grows.
If there is no unity in the family or in the Church, there will be no peace, progress and even diversity that can come from God. We are all different, but God wants us all to live in peace, unity, and in love with one another.
Love for ecumenism and diversity must start in our homes so that God’s love can spread both in good times and in bad times, which means there is room for difference in God’s eyes.
Major Haroon of the Salvation Army said that this is indeed the right time to think about unity between Christians and the Church. We have all struggled and worked for interfaith action and for different policies aimed at unity with others, but the Catholic Church has been involved in major initiatives to bring Christian leaders together. Uniting and promoting unity among us should be our priority.
Saleem Michael, a lawyer and legal adviser for the Archdiocese of Karachi, said it was indeed the right time to speak up and gather, as we all fight for our rights and for the marginalized. “Our people are poor and they need our help and if we are not united or if we are not together, what will happen to our people and where will they go?
“Christian religious leaders, civil society leaders, politicians, lawyers and journalists must work together. This is the extraordinary initiative of the National Commission for Justice and Peace that brings together all the major Christian leaders. Yes, we should all work together for innocent Christians. “
At the end, the Director of the NCJP, Pastor Saleh Diego who is also the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Karachi, said that in the Scriptures Jesus said, “So that they will all be one”. Likewise, we must also remember what Saint Paul said, “that we are all different parts of one body and one body, if there is pain in any part of our body, our whole body feels it.”
All Christians, who are united and bound in the body of Jesus, must feel pain and be united to one another. If someone has separated, they will actually separate from the Body of Christ.
Pastor Diego added that we must remain united, so that we can work and guide our people together and support them when they are in trouble.