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Parish to host ecumenical panel discussion to mark Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
By John Gleason
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 16-23, is a time when the entire Christian community throughout the world is invited to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” (Jn 17:21).
As part of the observance, the public is invited to an Ecumenical Evening Prayer Service and Panel Discussion set for 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Denver. The panel will include Bishop Robert O’Neill of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be on hand to welcome the congregation.
Father Chrysostom Frank, pastor of St. Elizabeth’s, said the church decided to host the event because of the high interest expressed by people in the parish.
“We had so many people who were committed to this event,” he said. “We’ll begin with a service of evening prayer, followed by a reception and panel discussion.”
In the late 19th century, Pope Leo XIII along with Anglican bishops called on people for Christian unity.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, originally called the Church Unity Octave, was developed by an Anglican priest, Father Paul Wattson, S.A., in New York in 1908. By 1916, Pope Pius X gave his blessing to the octave and later, Pope Benedict XV encouraged Catholics throughout the world to take part in the weeklong event. This year’s theme is “One in the Apostles’ Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer.”
Other speakers at the event include a member of the St. Elizabeth Parish community and Jody Adams, co-pastor of the Ecclesia Community in Denver. Father Frank said the dialogue should be enlightening and informative.
“Discussion could include ecumenical commitment to one another and how we can proclaim the Gospel,” he said. “I’m sure there will be an examination on the strength of various Christian communities and how to use that to carry out the Christian mission.”
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church is located at 1060 St. Francis Way in Denver on the Auraria campus. For more information, call 303- 534-4014. Details on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are available online at www.oikoumene.org . Click on “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.”
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