Fr. Sorin Șelaru, Director of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation in Brussels, participated on Tuesday in a round table titled How Do We Understand Christian Unity in Practice?. He emphasized that striving for unity should constantly concern every believer.
The event featured a dialogue between Fr. Sorin Șelaru; Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary-General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE); and Pastor Frank Dieter Fischbach, Secretary-General of the Conference of European Churches (CEC).
The discussions were moderated by Canon Sarah Snyder, founding director of the Rose Castle Foundation, which organized the event.
The Challenges of Christian Unity
Fr. Șelaru highlighted the delicate nature of Christian unity today, not only from an ecumenical perspective but also within Orthodoxy itself, referring specifically to the tragic situation in Ukraine, both politically and ecclesially.
Every Christian’s Responsibility
“Understanding Christian unity and striving to achieve it must be ongoing concerns for every Orthodox Christian, especially as we live in a society that is increasingly secularized, pluralistic, divided, and polarized,” stated Fr. Șelaru.
He further underscored Christian unity’s theological and spiritual foundation, distinguishing it from any other form of human unity.
“The unity of the Church is a unity in God, who is both One and Three. He Himself is unity, or a communion of love, the Holy Trinity. Christian unity is a matter of loving God and one’s neighbour.”
Fr. Șelaru reminded the audience of every Christian’s responsibility for the Church’s visible unity. “As Jesus Himself says, love is a mark of Christian identity: By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).”
Context and Venue
The round table, which took place at the Chapel for Europe in Brussels, was organized during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Photo: Facebook / Chapel for Europe
