In an effort to deepen unity, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s mistreatment of other Christians, and called on Catholics to forgive followers of those traditions for any offenses of “today and in the past.” Rome increasingly covers her past with apologies and kindness in an effort to appeal to non-Catholics to join with her in ecumenical activities.
“As Bishop of Rome and Shepherd of the Catholic Church, I plead for mercy and forgiveness for non-evangelical behaviors by Catholics against Christians of other churches,” Francis said. “We cannot undo what was done in the past, but we don’t want to allow the weight of past sins to pollute our relationships,” he said. “The mercy of God will renew our relations.”
The pope said these words during an ecumenical vespers service in the packed Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls in Rome at the close of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Representatives of various churches, such as Anglicans, Orthodox and Pentecostals, participated in the event.
The pope asked all to ask “above all the forgiveness for the sin of our division, an open wound in the Body of Christ.”
“We will move forward on the road to full visible communion among Christians not only when we get closer to one another, but especially when we are converted to the Lord, that by his grace chooses us and calls us to be his disciples,” Francis said, adding that “it’s not only the call which unites us, but we [also] share the same mission: to proclaim the wonderful works of God… Walking and working together, we [will] realize that we are already united in the name of the Lord.”
“The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The Great Controversy, page 571
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Comments
Damian
Tuesday February 2nd, 2016 at 10:34 AMMark this quote well … “The Romish Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of popery that existed in ages past exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The popery that Protestants are now so ready to embrace and honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up at the peril of their lives to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty, and slew the saints of the Most High.” (E.White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol.4, p.387)
Tumo Galeragwe
Wednesday February 3rd, 2016 at 01:47 AMAmen! thank God for the lesser light, as the darkness of spiritualism covers the whole earth and gross darkness covers the people, praise God for the light shinning from the pen of inspiration exposing things that would otherwise mislead many of us? you can never go wrong with the Testimony of the Spirit of God…. god has been faithful to us, that in these last days He raised up an end time prophet to enlighten and teach us in a very simple language the things that shall come to pass. glory!glory!glory be to God.
Jason W
Sunday February 14th, 2016 at 09:31 AMThe papacy continues with empty statements that have no truth within the words. The first problem is that the papacy cannot be referred to as Christian. They have changed God’s Word including the re-writing of the TEN COMMANDMENTS and the change of the Sabbath. I believe the Roman Catholic Church should change their name to The Church of Ecumenism. The papacy supports many traditions that are not Biblical and without the vainness of idolatry the church does not exist. They do not believe in one important statement by Christ Jesus that is found in John 14:6, Jesus saith I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by ME. They also do not accept that our sins are to be confessed to OUR FATHER in HEAVEN and to one another not to a priest that believes that they are above GOD!