On Wednesday 19th January, 2011, the Parish Church of Floriana was packed with Christians from all denominations who assembled for an Ecumenical Prayer Service on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Archbishop Paul Cremona OP presided, while a number of Christian ministers were present from the following Churches and traditions: Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Evangelical Lutheran. The homily was delivered by Canon Simon Godfrey, Chancellor of St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta.
The theme of the Service was “One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer” (Acts 2,42). Canon Godfrey commenced his sermon by referring to William Dalrymple’s book, From the Holy Mountain, where the author makes some vivid descriptions on the sometimes fiery exchanges between Christians from different Churches in Jerusalem. Canon Godfrey referred to the plight of Christians in the Holy Land who are suffering a great deal on account of persecution, as is the case of Christians in Iraq and in Egypt.
Referring to Pope Benedict’s speech, in September, at Lambeth Palace during the State Visit to the UK, and to his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, Canon Godfrey reminded the congregation that “We have come to believe in God’s love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”.
Click here to download the booklet published by the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011.
Click on the photo to enlarge. The photos of the Archbishop’s events may be purchased from PHOTOCITY, Valletta. Tel: 21236723. Email: [email protected]