WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
For me - an Anglican - the main differences between the Church of England and the Church of Rome have been resolved, but one remains and can never be resolved by negotiation: either you are capable of looking at a piece of bread and truly believing that it has changed and is really Christ Himself, or you are not.  No amount of discussion can change that: if you can, worshipping the Host is not only a pleasure, but a duty; if you cannot, it is idolatry.  So I think movement towards the sort of unity for which Christ prayed - “that you all may be one in the same way that My Father and I are one” - has for years been tackled on the wrong basis.  Because of the Roman doctrine of infallability Pope Francis cannot change their stance but he could announce that all who believe that, at Holy Communion, all who believe that they are replicating Christ’s commandment “Do this in remembrance of Me” are welcome, would be a powerful move in the right direction.

Pope Francis

Before the Conclave to elect a new Pope, the Cardinals have several meetings, not to canvass support - that is not permitted  - but to exchange views.  They can be joined by the older Cardinals who are not allowed to vote but can offer guidance.  I was interested to learn that at one of these get-togethers Cardinal Bergoglio made a short speech which included the following: “When Jesus said ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock’ people assumed He was outside, wanting to come in.  But sometimes Jesus  knocks from within, wanting to be let out into the wider world.”  This sentiment sounded familiar - where had I heard it before?  Then I remembered! My blog of 2nd May 2011 when I recounted my encounter with John Paul II and ‘saw’ Jesus - “ here He was, trapped in all the ceremonial of the Church of Rome when He wanted to be out among His people.”  Welcome, Pope Francis.