It is the true source of the quest for full unity. In May last year, I published the Encyclical Ut unum sint to encourage the Catholic Church's ecumenical commitment and to facilitate reflection with other Christians on issues yet to be resolved. In this way I wished once again to present the Catholic principles of ecumenical commitment, re-examined in the light of the broad positive experience of the past 30 years of contact and dialogue. These principles continue to be a sure guide on the way which remains to be covered before we reach the blessed day of full communion. In the last analysis, the numerous interconfessional dialogues taking place all aim, directly or indirectly, at overcoming existing differences and re-establishing the full unity of all believers in Christ.
Christians now have a greater awareness of the elements of faith they have in common.
Dialogue with the Orthodox Churches has achieved significant convergence in expressing the sacramental conception of the Church. This should now make it possible to solve the obvious anomaly of partial communion. With this in view and to facilitate ongoing dialogue, I suggested a more thorough analysis of the Bishop of Rome's primacy. We all know that this issue is a major obstacle to restoring full unity between Catholics and Orthodox. As regards the ancient Churches of the East and the Assyrian Church, I have had the joy of signing declarations of common faith with several of their Patriarchs.