The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-02-04

II is not Just a coincidence that there should
be number of news items at this time dealing
with unity in religion. That there should be in
rreasing efforts to bring about harmony and TO
dissolve differences in belief among religions cannot
but be the result Of the workings of divine grace
in the hearts of men. That there should be eVi-
dences Of Gods grace influencing the minds of
men at this time must surely have some connection
with the worldwide observance of the Chair Unity
Octave period Of prayer for the return of all
separated children Of God TO His true Church.
This Octave fttingly begins the feast of St.
Peters Chair, which symboizes the authority given
to him by Christ Himself II ends the feast Of the
Conversion OF St. Paul the fervent Jew who had
been prosecuting Christ with telling zeal 1t was
miracle Of God which enlightened the mind of
raul so that he became ST Paul, Apostle. But the
persecutor Saul was doubtless honest Of heart and
in good faith, endeavorng TO protect his Jewish
religion from the inroads of Christianity. The Chair
Unity Octave urged sincere prayer that all separated
or estranged from Christ might receive the light
to see their way back TO Him or if they are in
good faith in their present belief that Divine Wis
dom might enable them to realize the wealth of
spiritual riches to be found in His one true Church.
over in England group of AngloCaholics have
issued pamphlet expressing desire for Christian
unity under the Pope. The pamphlet urged all
AngIicans TO pray for Christian reunion during the
Chair Unity Octave The theological confusons"
of the Church Of England pointed out and
an appeal made for understanding the "place
Of Peter in the Apostolic College the college from
which the episcopaey is derived The authors of the
pamphlet said they could not understand why the
Church of England, which has always made so much
OF the historic episcopate of the necessary
conditions in any scheme for reunion" could be
Indifferent about the place of Peter in it.
Meanwhile here in the United States there has
been constant growth in the conviction tina there
s need for unity True this has TO do with Protest
ant Churches seeking unity among themselves, and
moi necessarily with the Catholic Churcl, though
there have been evidences that they would like to
have the Catholic Church united with them in some
way. Nearly twenty Protestant denominations are
involved in some sort Of unity effort Some merger
moves are actually going on. Congregational Chris
tian churches and the Evangelical and Reformed
Church are arranging a nion; four Lutheran bodies
going TO vote unifcation; and the Unitarian
and Universaist churches have already united some
Of their activities Several years ago Conference
Church Union formed to work for the ulti
mate goal Of unity among nine bodies with about
sixteen million members
10 the observer # history the philosophical
thinking back Of all this must in direct
rast TO the position Of indviduasm in belief as
propounded by the demand for private interpre
ation Of the Bible BE that as il may, there is
decided and growing trend for unity. II will take
lot OF patience, and Superabundant dose OF char
ity Catholics can do better than continue
throughout the year the prayer of the Chair Unity
Octave