11/29/2014, 00.00
VATICAN - TURKEY
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Pope: in Turkey, in the quest for Christian unity be led by the Holy Spirit

"Only the Holy Spirit is able to kindle diversity, multiplicity and, at the same time, bring about unity. When we try to create diversity, but are closed within our own particular and exclusive ways of seeing things, we create division. When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenization".

Istanbul (AsiaNews) -  Pope Francis has urged Christians to let themselves be "led by the Holy Spirit, without resistance, even though this "at first glance, may seem to create disorder.  Under his guidance, however, they constitute an immense richness, because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which is not the same thing as uniformity". The only public Mass celebrated - this afternoon - by Pope Francis on his journey in Turkey confirms the predominantly ecumenical tone, indicated in his participation in the celebration of the Apostle Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Significantly, in the Latin cathedral in Istanbul is dedicated to the Holy Spirit (pictured). Alongside the Catholic authorities were the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius III Younan, the Armenian Patriarchal Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Archbishop Aram Ateshian, the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan of Istanbul, Filüksinos Yusuf Çetin, and representatives of some evangelical denominations.

And after the celebration, Pope Francis travelled to the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for his first official meeting with Bartholomew, who, besides being this afternoon in the Catholic Basilica, this morning it was already among those who welcomed the Pope on his arrival in Istanbul.

In this context, Francis dedicated his homily to the Holy Spirit, based on the idea that "the Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church.  He gives life, he brings forth different charisms which enrich the people of God and, above all, he creates unity among believers: from the many he makes one body, the Body of Christ.  The Church's whole life and mission depend on the Holy Spirit; he fulfils all things".

"The profession of faith itself, as Saint Paul reminds us in today's first reading, is only possible because it is prompted by the Holy Spirit: "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3b).  When we pray, it is because the Holy Spirit inspires prayer in our heart.  When we break the cycle of our self-centredness, and move beyond ourselves and go out to encounter others, to listen to them and help them, it is the Spirit of God who impels us to do so.  When we find within a hitherto unknown ability to forgive, to love someone who doesn't love us in return, it is the Spirit who has taken hold of us.  When we move beyond mere self-serving words and turn to our brothers and sisters with that tenderness which warms the heart, we have indeed been touched by the Holy Spirit".

"It is true that the Holy Spirit brings forth different charisms in the Church, which at first glance, may seem to create disorder.  Under his guidance, however, they constitute an immense richness, because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which is not the same thing as uniformity.  Only the Holy Spirit is able to kindle diversity, multiplicity and, at the same time, bring about unity.  When we try to create diversity, but are closed within our own particular and exclusive ways of seeing things, we create division. When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenization.  If we let ourselves be led by the Spirit, however, richness, variety and diversity will never create conflict, because the Spirit spurs us to experience variety in the communion of the Church".

"The diversity of members and charisms is harmonized in the Spirit of Christ, whom the Father sent and whom he continues to send, in order to achieve unity among believers.  The Holy Spirit brings unity to the Church: unity in faith, unity in love, unity in interior life.  The Church and other Churches and ecclesial communities are called to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit, and to remain always open, docile and obedient. Ours is a hopeful perspective, but one which is also demanding.  The temptation is always within us to resist the Holy Spirit, because he takes us out of our comfort zone and unsettles us; he makes us get up and drives the Church forward.  It is always easier and more comfortable to settle in our sedentary and unchanging ways.  In truth, the Church shows her fidelity to the Holy Spirit in as much as she does not try to control or tame him.  We Christians become true missionary disciples, able to challenge consciences, when we throw off our defensiveness and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit.  He is freshness, imagination and newness". 

"Our defensiveness is evident when we are entrenched within our ideas and our own strengths - in which case we slip into Pelagianism - or when we are ambitious or vain.  These defensive mechanisms prevent us from truly understanding other people and from opening ourselves to a sincere dialogue with them.  But the Church, flowing from Pentecost, is given the fire of the Holy Spirit, which does not so much fill the mind with ideas, but enflames the heart; she is moved by the breath of the Spirit which does not transmit a power, but rather an ability to serve in love, a language which everyone is able to understand. In our journey of faith and fraternal living, the more we allow ourselves to be humbly guided by the Spirit of the Lord, the more we will overcome misunderstandings, divisions, and disagreements and be a credible sign of unity and peace". 

 

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