Cardinal Koch: ‘Ecumenism is a tool of peace for the world’

By Mario Galgano

Christians are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Sunday, January 18, to Sunday, January 25.

Speaking to Vatican News, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity explored the meaning of our Christian mission to seek unity.

Asked about Pope Leo XIV’s call for efforts toward unity and commitment to world peace to go “hand in hand,” Cardinal Kurt Koch emphasized the role of Christian Churches.

“Ecumenism can assist society if it does not mirror society’s discord, but is rather itself a sign of unity,” the Cardinal explained.

In a world full of opposing currents, Christians are challenged to live “in one Spirit” despite diversity.

“If Christianity itself is a divided heap, then it cannot offer society very much,” said the Cardinal.

This year’s texts for the Week of Prayer were prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, based on St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.”

Cardinal Koch said the choice of this text is highly symbolic.

“It is a passionate appeal by Saint Paul for unity,” he said. “When you consider that Paul wrote this letter from prison, we see how serious it is for him. In prison you don’t occupy yourself with trivialities.”

2030: Not a deadline, but a point for reflection

Looking ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Confessio Augustana in 2030, Cardinal Koch dispelled expectations of fixed timetables.

“In ecumenism I do not name deadlines. The deadlines are set by the Holy Spirit, not by us,” he said.

However, he added, the year 2030 remains an important “point for reflection” in order to rethink anew the overcoming of division.

Cardinal Koch quoted the theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg, for whom the division of the Church represented a “failure” of the Reformation, since Martin Luther sought the renewal of all Christianity.

“Jesus wanted one Church, not a variety of Churches,” said the Cardinal.

Significance of Nicaea

In conclusion, Cardinal Koch underscored the enduring relevance of the Council of Nicaea, whose 1,700th anniversary was recently commemorated.

Unity can only be found in our common faith, said the Cardinal. “The challenge of Nicaea remains relevant.”