Over the past days we have celebrated a week of prayer for Christian unity, in the year that we are about to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II. A commitment of our Church, not care enough, which is in fact more pretentious than efficient steps given.

The very diverse and different Christian Churches, branched throughout history, continue virtually with  the same challenges and, although there have not been just a few moments of dialogue over the last years, new segregations are still arising, above all in the Reformed Churches, which are complicating unity and stopping the ecumenical progress. It is true that “the way of patience” as it was recently stated by Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian unity, and it is also true that, new complications are constantly arising such as diversity,  an increasing tendency in the different positions concerning ethical issues. And, as a result, this is showing the nonexistance, nor it is foresee in the inmediate future, of a testimonial common voice for all Christians facing the great challenges of human being, in the middle of our fragmented and secular society.

And we have to add to this a situation, not less distressing and painful, such as the one that, even in the heart of our Catholic Church, we are frequently plentiful of struggle among “groups”, an attempt to impose partisan views, people are suspicious of each other and, finally, contaminated air with lack of communion and understanding in a legitimate plurality of spiritualities and different charisms.

Among us we look each other “closely” with a previous malevolent intention of increasing  that from the other which could give rise to “the different”, and, in this way, justify my “distant” position, rather than looking with a merciful heart. Within many Catholics´ pockets of the jackets there are “black lists” with the names of resentment, of envy, of resistance to forgiveness, of aversion against people and groups, of rejection to those who do not think exactly as I do or do not live under the same criteria. Many other are not fellow travellers but excluded of walking beside. And, on top of that, all mixed with the irresistible desire for power, of getting noticed and of recognition of many laypeople, religious and clergy people, each one, in his/her small battle field. Some of them, supported by a social atmosphere where elbowing its way is very important, go ahead with the blinders of their own interest. Others are left out, out of place and so many times wounded. Many other live the impotence and disillusionment of a Church that speaks too much and says little. Of course there are also witnesses of the grand reception, integration and the specific testimony, in details, in calls, in respect,  concern for the other, magnanimity, allowing being questioned, in the ability of being with all “in the temple” and at ”the Court of the Gentiles”,  in so many gestures which are updating and extending the Gospel, taking to the streets and the reality of everyday the communion we participate in each Eucharist.

Let´s reassess the call to ecumenism, the urgency of understanding with the other Churches, insofar that we are demanding care of Communion in each community, in each Group of Christians, in every Parish, in each familiy, in each Group of fellow priests,  in each Group or Association, in each Brotherhood, in each space where our Christian lives have to reveal the face of Christ extended in our historic moment. A face that is never “acid” to separate but “magnet” to generate communion. What is, if not, the table that brings us together?

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