Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31981, 7 May 1969, Page 18

Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity

A special inter-denominational service in Christchurch Cathedral on May 22, will be a feature of a week of prayer for Christian unity to be observed by most Protestant and Roman Catholic churches throughout New Zealand from May 15 to 25.

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and a former Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. G. Sullivan) will preach at the service which is being arranged by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Churches in co-operation with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby). It will begin at 8 p.m.

The theme of the week of prayer will be “Called to Freedom.” During it Christians will meet to pray for unity. The general-secretary of the National Council of Churches the (Rev. D. M. Taylor) said yesterday that the aim of the week could best be expressed by the prayer that said ‘‘lt is a unity

> that Christ wills, to come ■ when He wills it and in the i way He wills it” Mr Taylor said that al- - though a similar week had I been observed in New Zeaf land in a small way for many f years, it was not until 1963 i that a widespread effort was f made by the churches. In England the observance t began in 1908 and is held each year in January, leading ■ up to St Paul’s Day. Mr Tayi lor said that an effort was - made in the Southern Hemis- - phere to observe the same week, but it was unsuccessful and since 1963, in New ' Zealand it had been held be- . tween Ascension and Whit ; Sunday.

In New Zealand several forms of literature to help churches with the planning and preparation of the week

are available. Included is a prayer leaflet published by the British Council of Churches in association with the Roman Catholic Ecumenical Commission for England and Wales. It gives daily themes and Bible readings, developing the main theme of the week, daily intercessions, litany, prayers and an outline order of service which may be freely adapted for local use. It is hoped that more and more local congregations will wish to work out together their own patterns of united prayer during the week.