HE HOLY FATHER, Benedict XVI, has called for the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul to be a feast of 'the unity and catholicity of the Church'. Once again in attendance at the Mass at St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday 29th June 2005 will be a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I. Last year, Bartholomew I himself attended the Mass, at which Pope John Paul II presided,commemorating 40 years since the kiss of peace between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem. The Second Vatican Council was taking place at the time. On 7th December 1965, the day before the conclusion of the Council, the then Pope, Paul VI, and the then Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I, presented a joint declaration to deplore and lift the mutual anathemas, pronounced in 1054, which were instrumental in the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches.

I call upon all priests and parishes who look to me, whether formally or informally, for episcopal care and support, to offer and pray the Mass on 29th June for the unity and catholicity of the Church, with special intention for the reunion of East and West and for the recovery of our unity with the See of Rome. In particular we should pray for the Church of England and Anglican Communion at this time, that Anglicans should do all they can to maintain the unity of the Faith in the bonds of Peace, in particular doing everything possible to avoid further schism and cause of schism over such matters as the ordination of women and human sexuality.

For many deacons and priests, as for me, Petertide marks the anniversary of ordination. I extend prayers and greetings to all clergy whose ordination anniversaries occur at this time, to all those whom I have ordained, to those being ordained this year to serve in parishes which look to me, and to all those, whether or not in formal theological training, who are discerning and exploring a vocation to the order of deacon or priest or the religious life.

May God bless you.

+ Andrew Ebbsfleet
29th June 2005

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The Bishop of Ebbsfleet
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