ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane and Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville were among more than 250 people of Catholic and other Christian traditions who gathered outside Rome from November 11-13 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism, “Unitatis reditengratio”.
It was an occasion both to celebrate the groundbreaking document as well as to reflect about what has been achieved, and what still needs to be done.
Australia was represented by former president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Edward Cassidy, Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville, Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane and Anglican Archbishop Peter Carnley of Perth.
During three days of speeches and discussions, culminating in a Vesper prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica, led by Pope John Paul II, participants from every corner of the world prayed together and shared their reflections in smaller regional groups.
Archbishop Bathersby said the progress made in the 40 years since the council was remarkable.
‘Everywhere, barriers between Christians have been removed, as in country after country Christians seek to work together to promote the Kingdom of God,’ he said.
‘A theme that recurred constantly at the conference and was highlighted once again by Pope John Paul II in his homily at Vespers was that of ‘Communion’ – the unity we already share together in our belief in a Trinitarian God and our entry into Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism.
‘The next 10 years will see further remarkable growth in unity as together we explore the mystery of ‘communion’.
‘Based on ever deeper reflection about this mystery, and driven in the Archdiocese of Brisbane by our 2005 Lenten study program led by our ecumenical commission, I believe great things will happen,’ Archbishop Bathersby said.
‘Indeed, as the Pope continues to remind us time and time again, ecumenism is integral to being a Christian, it is not an optional extra to be taken or left as we see fit.’
