of you'. It is a sobering thought that on every occasion we do things by ourselves when there is not a compelling need to, we are, despite St Paul, saying to other Christians, 'we have no need of you'. Some of these activities may not be practicable for us at the moment because of our situation or because the relationship between churches in our part of the world has not yet progressed to the point where they have become possible. In this situation we may even have to be prepared to step forward, to be in the vanguard. Progress and problems It is possible to look back and be amazed at the ecumenical progress that has been made at all levels through the action of the Holy Spirit over recent decades. It is equally possible to look forward and perhaps feel daunted by the difficulties that still lie ahead. In Ut Unum Sint , Pope John Paul II noted that, thus far on our journey, much has been attained - greater mutual understanding, doctrinal convergences, growth in communion - but our aim has to be full visible unity among all the baptised. (UUS 77) In the introduction to The Unity of Christians by Cardinal Augustin Bea we read, "... the work of re-uniting Christians is the work of God and it will be accomplished by the grace of God, no matter how difficult it may seem from a human standpoint." (6) So it is important not to become in any