Church for unity in diversity

God has a reason for creating humans in His image and likeness of love and Trinitarian unity (Genesis 1:26-28). In order to achieve common goals, some kind of unity is indispensable to the existence of any well-ordered society; be it family, civil, political, or religious. Satan, however, finds strength in dividing God's people.

The work of promoting unity between Christians, aka ecumenism, was begun by Jesus Christ, when He reconciled humanity with God, on the cross. He, further, instituted one Church on the foundation of Twelve apostles and commissioned Christians to be ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). 

The Church is mandated to show the world that unity in diversity is possible. A united church will win more souls for the kingdom of God. It is not about success or numbers, but about being faithful to Christ.

Christian unity has, however, been a difficult goal to achieve ever since the beginning of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 11:18, St Paul laments Church divisions. 

The greatest divisions occurred with the Orthodox Church in the 11th century, and with the Protestants in the 16th century, owing to cultural and political causes. The growth of Pentecostal and charismatic movements also causes more divisions.

1700 years have passed since the first ecumenical council in history, in 325 AD, in Nicaea, Turkey. On the occasion of this anniversary, the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU), held from January 18 to 25, assumes a particular significance. 

January 18 highlights St Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ, and January 25, marks the conversion of St Paul to Christianity.

In line with the theme of the Jubilee Year 2025, WPCU, invites Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches to be “pilgrims of hope”. The goal is not to bring about from nothing a unity that does not yet exist, but to live fully and faithfully, under the action of the Holy Spirit, that unity in which the Church was constituted by Christ. Pope Francis urges all parties to overcome fear and pride.

Do you believe this? (John 11:26), is the theme of WPCU 2025. It is drawn from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, faced with the challenge of the death of Lazarus and faith in the Resurrection of Christ.

“It is a central theme, because today not only the Churches, but also the people must face many expressions of real death, which also means division, separation, up to conflict and the massacre of the innocent,” Msgr Marco Gnavi, (Rome).

Happily, what unites Christians is far greater than what divides them. Beyond the Bible, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox Christians celebrate the sacraments validly, venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints. They follow the same seasons of the liturgical year.

The journey toward reunification among the two Churches began officially in 1964, when Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople met for the first time in Jerusalem. Since then, popes and Eastern patriarchs have exchanged visits and signed declarations on a variety of occasions. Currently, most Orthodox Churches work very closely with Rome, and talks for some kind of reunification are underway. Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch plan to make a joint pilgrimage to Nicaea, in May 2025.

Though the history of Christianity in Uganda has been marred by politically motivated divisions, Christians remain pilgrims of hope in the ecumenical movement. They are inspired by the profession of one and same faith in Jesus, Catholic and Protestant martyrs made, between 1885 and 1886; thus, embodying an “ecumenism of blood."

In 1963 the leaders of Uganda Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church and Church of Uganda founded Uganda Joint Christian Council, to accompany the transformation of a newly independent Uganda (1962). Member Churches profess the Nicene Creed.

The Nicene Creed gives us the profession of faith that unites us all in baptism. Each Christian is called to answer Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?” The format “we believe” emphasises a sense of unity. When Christians jointly respond to Christ’s prayer for the unity of His Church, they realise “spiritual ecumenism” (John 17:23).