Dominican Father Nelson Medina explains the purpose of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18\u201325, as well as the goal and parameters of ecumenism.<\/p>\n
Friar Nelson Medina, a Colombian Dominican priest who holds a doctorate in fundamental theology, explained why it is important for the Catholic Church to celebrate and promote a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18\u201325), which in 2026 has the theme \u201cOne Body, One Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are two reasons, one theological and one biblical, both extremely important. The theological reason is that the fruit of sin is always division, and therefore the victory over sin is always unity around the truth and love in Christ,\u201d the priest emphasized in an interview with \u201cEWTN Noticias,\u201d the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we have a biblical reason, which is that Christ Our Lord, as appears in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to St. John, prayed precisely for this intention. It is clear that it was from the depths of his heart, precisely in the hours leading up to his sorrowful passion and therefore to our redemption,\u201d Medina emphasized.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it is something that God wants, it is a common objective for the Church, and it is an initiative to which we should all unite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the theme of this year\u2019s week of prayer \u2014 \u201cOne Body, One Spirit\u201d \u2014 the friar emphasized that \u201cit is very interesting to see the Church from this dual perspective … When we speak of unity in the Spirit, we are talking about that working [of the Spirit] which is interior, because the Spirit precisely comes into our hearts, as Romans 5:5 says.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut then the unity of the body is also necessary, that is, a unity that is visible. It\u2019s not just that we have general charity towards other people; it\u2019s that it is visibly evident that we believe in the same God, that we believe in the same Scripture, and that we celebrate the same sacraments with a common understanding and truth,\u201d the Dominican priest pointed out.<\/p>\n
What is the aim of Christian unity?<\/p>\n
On this point, Medina emphasized \u201cthe ecumenism of theology; serious theological study is truly indispensable, especially to avoid superficiality. Sometimes people think that for there to be ecumenism, it\u2019s enough for us to simply get together, share a meal, and take a nice picture with people smiling. That\u2019s not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dominican priest explained that this unity helps address serious issues such as \u201cgender ideology, the disregard for the dignity of human life with euthanasia, and all pro-life issues. It is necessary that, together with other Christians, and even with people of other religious beliefs, when appropriate, we understand that we are on the same side.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we shouldn\u2019t underestimate this effort for the causes of defending life, ecology, and justice because in this collaborative work, prejudices are often broken down and doors are opened,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Regarding the work of priests, Medina continued, this unity among Christians is also important, because \u201cwe priests have quite a lot of work to do, because I think we move between two extremes … on the one hand, parishes where nothing is done [for Christian unity], apart from perhaps putting up a poster on the parish bulletin board; nothing else is done. And others where a lot is done, but sometimes causing confusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this, too, we must warn against as a danger. For example, I learned of a case where some religious invited Anglicans to attend, and then everyone started receiving Communion, as if full Eucharistic unity had already been achieved,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
That, the Dominican priest lamented, \u201cwhich should have been a very beautiful ceremony, ended up being a source of scandal for many people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Medina noted that \u201cformation is needed. It is a noble ideal, a pressing and unavoidable task for the Church, but it must, of course, have very clear parameters and guidelines from our pastors so that it does not end up being a fleeting enthusiasm, but also so that it does not produce this type of doctrinal or liturgical confusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News English. It has been translated and adapted.<\/p>\n
Nathal\u00ed Paredes contributed to this report.<\/p>\n