Is Unity of the Churches a Real Possibility or Is It an Unrealistic Utopia?
Ageng`a , Marcus Antonie
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| Unity is a Gift, yet we must work for it |
The Post Second Vatican Council ecclesiology can be termed as “ecumenical”. The Council noted with concern that division amongst Christians “openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the gospel to every creature” (UR, n.1). The term ‘ecumenical movement’ indicates the initiative and activities encouraged and organized, according to the various needs of the Church and as opportunities offer, to promote Christianity unity” (UR, n. 4).
John Paul II stressed the Church’s role in ecumenism by indicating that the way of ecumenism is the way of the Church (UU, n.7) to which the Church has committed herself irrevocably (UU, n.3). In other words, the Pope suggests to the people of God to have ‘ecumenical heart’. Ecumenism, then, is not something ‘added’ to the nature and vocation of the Church, rather, it is essentially her nature to work for and restore communion. Especially during this one week of prayer for Christian unity, every Christian must pray for and work with zeal towards the realization of Jesus’ prayer that “they may be one”.
To the question as to whether visible unity amongst all the Christian Church’s would be a reality someday, it is important to indicate that ecumenism must not be seen only in ‘spiritual terms’. Ecumenism is not reducible to a mere good working relationship, or to a compromise in doctrinal elements or even on communio in sacris. Visible ecumenism is a real possibility, even though if faces real and profound challenges and difficulties. Ultimately, the project of restoring unity amongst Christians is not our work, but the Spirit’s work; the Spirit is the principle of unity amongst the people of God as Unitatis Redintegratio teaches “it is the Holy Spirit…who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ” (n. 2). So, we answer that ecumenism is both spiritual and visible in nature and with Yves Congar O.P., the father of Ecumenism, we believe that someday we shall have complete re-union.
“We believe in One Church”: St Paul founded many Churches who were aware of their oneness right from the beginning. Their unity was founded on ‘sharing one faith in the same gospel message and the bond of love that was showed in concrete care for the poor. In Acts, the basis of communion is one baptism, one faith and one Eucharist. During the Patristic times, one faith, Eucharist and Episcopate become the basis of communion. The Second Vatican Council basically adopts these patristic principles. Today, we speak of full communion as consisting in Catholic faith, Sacraments, Ecclesial governance; theological communion as consisting in spiritual, sacramental- this admits degrees (juridical communion does not).
We can conclude our reflection on ecumenism by indicating that the scandal of division that continues to affect the seamless robe of Christ (UR, 13) is also the scandal of every person that bears the name ‘Christian’; every Christian, therefore, bears the responsibility of working for the authentic restoration of Christian unity both spiritually and visibly. 
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