By Stefanie Bross
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed annually from Jan. 18 to 25, provides an opportunity for Christians worldwide to focus their prayers and engage in meaningful discussions on unity. As in past years, the Centro Pro Unione and The Lay Centre hosted a joint event to start the week Jan. 18. This time the theme was “Synodality at your fingertips.”
Father Timothy MacDonald, SA, opened the evening, setting a contemplative and spiritual tone for the discussions that followed. The priest is a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, which founded and operates the Centro Pro Unione.
Dr. Teresa Francesca Rossi moderated the event, held at the Centro, where she serves as a researcher. She is also a professor of ecumenism at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Different perspectives, one desire
Dr. Tamara Grdzelidze, a former ambassador of Georgia to the Holy See and currently a professor at Ilia State University in Tbilisi, Georgia, spoke about synodality and ecumenism from an Orthodox perspective. Focusing on the Synthesis of the Synod on Synodality, she emphasized a more missionary church — one that cares and listens to the needs of others, just like the good Samaritan.
Dr. Rev. Vanessa Bayha, director of the Melanchthon Centre, offered theological insights on synodality. The Melanchthon Centre is a Protestant centre for ecumenical studies in Rome, founded in 2002. She emphasized the importance of spirituality and prayer in the process of listening and participating in a Church that has a place for everyone.
Dr. Rev. Maurizio Mirilli, chaplain at Tor Vergata Hospital and former youth ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Rome, added a practical and pastoral dimension to the discussion. He encouraged participants to go beyond talking about unity and to work actively toward unity in daily life. He shared some of his experiences to illustrate that working toward unity is not easy to do, but it is possible.
The event culminated with a contemplative Taizé prayer, led by The Lay Centre choir. Dr. Donna Orsuto, Lay Centre director, concluded the evening by thanking participants and reminding them of the prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John, “that they may all be one” (17:21).
