Church leaders & Christian unity
Christian unity
Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are brothers and sisters in Christ. Here is what we share and how we pray for unity.
What we share
- One Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Scriptures as the Word of God
- The Nicene Creed and faith in the Holy Trinity
- The Lord's Prayer and the commandment of love
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Every year Christians of many traditions pray together for unity: traditionally from 18 to 25 January in the northern hemisphere, and often around Pentecost in the southern hemisphere.
Unitatis Redintegratio
The Second Vatican Council's decree on ecumenism (1964) teaches that all who are justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ and rightly called Christians.
Other religions (Nostra Aetate)
The Council's declaration (1965) teaches that the Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in other religions and calls for dialogue and collaboration with respect and love.
A prayer for unity
That they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
Sources
- Unitatis Redintegratio (21 November 1964)
- Nostra Aetate (28 October 1965)
- In Unitate Fidei (23 November 2025)
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