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A Message from the Second World Gathering of Interchurch Families, Rome 2003

To the churches within which we belong,
To all Christian believers, especially to interchurch families,
To those who long for ways toward reconciliation.

From 11 countries in 3 continents and at least 7 denominations we came together for our Second World Gathering of Interchurch Families held in Rome from 24th to 28th July 2003.
We were more than 300 participants, interchurch couples, clergy, ministers and many children and young people whose participation was an inspiring and significant part of our gathering.
We reflected on our unity in baptism and marriage in which God calls us to a common life in the Church for the reconciliation of our churches.

We as interchurch families have a unique perspective on Christian unity from our privileged position.
We give thanks to God for the vocation to which we have been called.
We invite all Christians to explore with us the joy, enrichment and challenge of living our differences in unity under one roof.

We hope:

• to be recognised by our churches as committed partners in offering our experience as a modest but significant contribution to the ecumenical process.
• to become living bridges by exercising a ministry of hospitality at home and in our communities.
• that a growing number of Christians will share and feel more and more deeply the pain and scandal of division in order to be energised to work for unity.
• that the wealth of official ecumenical agreements between the churches, which we are eager to live in our families, may be fully received into the pastoral education and the life of our churches for the good of all.
• that as part of their advance in ecumenical understanding, the churches will work together on the pastoral issues of interchurch families, and for their pastoral care.
• that until full communion is realised, pastoral solutions will urgently be extended to meet the real need of interchurch families, and others in particular need, for reciprocal eucharistic sharing.
• that we can share the gifts we receive in our God-given diversity, and celebrate them together in the One Body of Christ, as a witness to reconciliation in the world.

We offer these hopes to God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Return to Journal Index

Vol 12, # 1, 2004

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