5: The Third Millennium and the Unity of the Church

In the upcoming third millennium, it is crucial to reflect upon the unity of the Church. Christians must examine a wide host of issues and concerns, including ecumenism, which implies that Christians professing a common faith in Jesus Christ cannot live and serve God in separate ways, hut rather in communion with one another. The Church's inner life and ministry, for example, is an area where many concerns have been raised. Cardinal Bernardin addresses the strained atmosphere between local churches and the Universal Church, as well as the tensions caused by conflicting approaches to liturgy. Unity, attainable only through Faith, must be at the core of the Church's existence in order to ensure a healthy future. Unity can be achieved in the Church, which is considered both a place of intimate union with God and a forum for unity among all people. Furthermore, Cardinal Bernardin underlines the idea of unity as a present reality in our lives and a promise sought for the future. In this day and age, Christians of different denominations must see themselves as pilgrims who are journeying towards a common goal. Unity is a gift from God which requires our acceptance, much like the gift of Faith. It grows within the Church, thanks to mutual knowledge and reciprocal love, the inner life of both the Holy Trinity and the Church. The Church's unity is a luminous hope that present division or alienation cannot dim.