Vatican City, Jan 25, 2008 / 08:45 am
Benedict XVI welcomed members of the World Council of Churches and a delegation of Catholics at the Vatican today, thanking them for their work towards achieving Christian unity.
Speaking in English to the group, the Holy Father pointed out that the relationship between the World Council of Churches and the Catholic Church stretches back to “the time of Vatican Council II.”
“The Joint Working Group,” the Pope said, “has worked assiduously to strengthen the 'dialogue of life' which my predecessor, Pope John Paul II, called the 'dialogue of charity'. This co-operation has given vivid expression to the communion already existing between Christians and has advanced the cause of ecumenical dialogue and understanding.”
The 100th celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity", he added, "offers us an opportunity to thank Almighty God for the fruits of the ecumenical movement”.