SIBIU, Romania, SEPT. 6, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Peter Erdo says that true Christianity is little known in Europe, and that the first task for those gathered at the ecumenical assembly is studying and living the faith.
The president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences said this Wednesday at the opening discourse of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly, under way in Romania.
"Regretfully, we must often witness how little Christianity is known in Europe in its true essence," Cardinal Erdo said. "Many masks of Christianity are circulating, knowingly often false.
"I believe that the first big obstacle to ecumenism is the ignorance of Christianity and the superficiality of the Christian life."
The cardinal stressed the urgency of the ecumenical movement becoming a place of theological and spiritual study.
“If we want to be authentic missionaries of Christ, we must be his true disciples. Learning from sacred Scriptures and the truths of our faith, we can grow in our Christian identity," he said. "It is surely not the path toward unity, if each one of us forgets the history and reality, the doctrine and the faith of our own community. The path of unity passes through truth and charity."
The cardinal also highlighted the task "of confronting together modernity and secularization. Among Christian communities of the East and West we have different experiences. We can learn from one another."
The assembly opened with an inaugural ceremony on Tuesday, when the mayor of Sibiu, Klaus Johannis, said that his is a "city of multiculturalism and religious diversity, the ideal location for such an event."
Benedict XVI sent a message to the event, saying that he views the "important encounter with the firm hope that it may foster progress in the ecumenical path toward full and visible unity of all Christians."
He said that Christian unity is one of his pastoral priorities, and added that "efforts to strive for visible unity among all Christians is essential for the light of Christ to shine on all men and women."
ZE07090604 - 2007-09-06