To Representatives of other Christian Churches in the Philippines (21 February 1981)

 On 21 February 1981, the Holy Father, at the Apostolic Nunciature, addressing representatives of other Christian churches in the Philippines, spoke of “the painful divisions among Christians [which] damage this Body of Christ, so that now ecclesial communion between the various communities is incomplete to the point of preventing and obscuring effective testimony to Christ.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ 

During my pastoral visit to the Catholic Church in the Philippines, it gives me great joy to meet you, representatives of the Christian Churches and communities, and the representatives of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. 

1. Every nation has its own characteristics of heart and mind. In the Philippines one immediately thinks of your warm feeling of community, that feeling that binds you to each other, that sense of solidarity that you call the spirit of “pakikisama”. Personally I have already experienced it in this short period that I spent with you. 

2. In light of this spirit, the divisions among Christians appear even more strange and unnatural. This is certainly an important basis for your ecumenical sensitivity, but, of course, our concern for Christian unity has a deeper reason. All that is noble and good in the human community has been implemented and perfected in that deeper and more universal association of which St. Paul writes: “For all of you, as many as have been baptized into Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer a slave or a free man; there is no longer male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ( Gal3,26-27). This is the communion that the superabundant love of God has brought about through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. This Church, the only flock of God, a sign and already anticipation of his Kingdom, like a flag raised to be seen by the nations, announces the Gospel of peace to all humanity (cf. Unitatis Redintegratio, 2 ) . 

3. The unity of the Church is a gift of God and not the work of men. But the painful divisions among Christians damage this Body of Christ, so that now ecclesial communion between the various communities is incomplete to the point of preventing and obscuring effective testimony to Christ. It is a great grace, and a push for renewal, that in our days God has awakened in the hearts of Christians a profound aspiration "for the one and visible Church of God, which is truly universal and sent to the whole world, so that the world may be converted to the Gospel and thus be saved for the glory of God” ( Unitatis Redintegratio , 1). 

4. As Christians, we are already a unity. Justified by faith in our Baptism and thus incorporated into Christ (cf. Unitatis Redintegratio , 3), and living by his Spirit, we are united in a real though still imperfect communion. It is our responsibility as much as possible to express and make visible this communion that unites us in Christ, "trying to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3 ) . “We can and must already reach and demonstrate to the world our unity in announcing the mystery of Christ” (John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis, 11). Likewise, we must spare no effort to reconstitute that completeness of communion in Christ, our Lord and Head, who came "to gather together the children of God who were scattered abroad" (Jn 11:52 ) . 

5. Faced with the great nations of Asia, the Christians of the Philippines have a special vocation to bear witness to the common hope they place in Christ. Here it is especially necessary to ensure that "the cooperation of all Christians vividly expresses that union which already exists between them, and places the face of Christ the servant in a fuller light" (Unitatis Redintegratio, 12 ) . You have an opportunity in combining or coordinating your efforts for human advancement, alleviating needs, helping to create in society those conditions that make life more in conformity with the dignity of every man and woman. 

6. These efforts can offer a common witness to the one Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is our common treasure, and the missionary duty that involves you as Christians must also lead you to seek ways to proclaim together, as far as possible, the fundamental truths concerning what unites you even before full communion is achieved (cf. John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis , 12). Here you are immediately faced with the things that still divide you and that limit the testimony that can be offered together. This is the tragedy of our divisions. 

Far from making our testimony to Christ fruitful and effective, the scandal of our divisions has diminished our credibility. This is true not only among non-Christians but also among Christians of simple faith. In all honesty, we are responsible for this. This is why it is so urgent that Christians at every level are prepared to work actively and pray for the restoration of full communion. The effort of theological dialogue is an integral part of this, but the central point is personal conversion, sanctity of life and prayer for the unity of Christians (cf. Unitatis Redintegratio , 8). 

7. The ecumenical situation in the Philippines is particular, as the majority of Christians are members of the Catholic Church. Catholics therefore have a particular responsibility. They must possess a firm knowledge of the Catholic principles of ecumenism, be fully faithful to them and have the will to apply them with courage and prudence. Failure to do so, through impatience or inertia, means preventing the Catholic Church from bringing to the ecumenical movement the gifts of grace and faith that have been entrusted to it. It is important to use these gifts in communion with the rest of the faithful and with the Bishops. 

8. I would like to end with a word of encouragement to all Christians in the Philippines. Your task is real, because the divisions in many cases are of recent origin; there has been the proliferation of numerous different groups; for some, divisions still find expression in open ill will and proselytism. But remember, the unity that Christ wants for his Church is his gift. Your patient, wise efforts to overcome separation and reconstitute communion, the common testimony that you can even now offer, constitute meritorious obedience to the will of our Lord. May they continue without ceasing and be made fruitful by your prayers. In every parish and community, in every Church, in every chapel and missionary station, in your families, 

“My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Cor 16:24). 

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