Alex M

    Vatican II published a document on Ecumenism, a movement whihc seeks restoration among all Christian's.  This is a response to Christs own prayer, "that they may all be one, as we Father, are on." [John 17:21-26]  The document lays out the walls between other Christians and respectful ways in which all Christians can pursue this unity without compromising the Catholic faith and why it is important.  It begins first with discussing the "principles of ecumenism" are that there is only One Body of Christ, One Church.  This unity is maintained by the one Spirit.  For this reason, Christ instituted the Eucharist to make this unity a reality. [1]  Additionally, there is one Baptism by which we remain in faith, hope and charity.  The ideal of a single Body of Christian worshipers is that; "Christ wills His people to increase, and He perfects His people's fellowship in unity: in their confessing the one faith, celebrating divine worship...

     Pope Benedict XVI's, Saint Paul, is a series of Catechesis focused talks given in his General Audiences from July 2, 2008- Febuary 4, 2009.  Saint Paul was an instrumental figure in spreding the Gospel and cultivating unity amongst a vastly diverse cultural seting.  Benedict's intention is to help Christinas today learn from Saint Paul's gift to the world and the Church, not only 2,000 years ago, but today as well.  To make his point, Benedict highlights Saint Paul's ability to unify through cultural differnces, maintrain Apostalic Tradition, and preach the Paschal Mystery as foundational to the faith.     Saint Paul was able to bring a unique perspective to the spred of Christianity in large part due to his upbringing.  Saint Paul was a Jew but also a Roman citizen whihc gave him a firm understanding of the Jewish faith but also Roman culture which was exposed to many cultures with tolerance, to a point. [1]  Having been exposed to...