Home » News » The guest: It is not a question of recatholicizing the cathedral – Signatures

The guest: It is not a question of recatholicizing the cathedral – Signatures

On Saturday February 29, a Catholic Mass will be celebrated at Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a significant event for Christians in Geneva and even beyond. It is a constructive step in Geneva ecumenism, and a testimony even when Christianity is in crisis in certain European countries.

This “first” since the Reformation (1536) will be possible thanks to the invitation of the Protestant Church of Geneva, and it is above all the sign of a fraternal understanding. The two Churches work together in many pastoral areas, such as chaplaincies (hospital, prison), catechesis for children, accompaniment of people in precariousness, solidarity with the third world, without forgetting celebrations in common to various occasions during the year. This also corresponds to the large number of mixed two-denominational couples in Geneva. Church membership is no longer, as in the past, an obstacle to founding a family animated by Christian values.

We can still see there a step forward towards the future, in the progressive march towards the unity (and not uniformity) of Christians. I had the opportunity, a number of years ago, during the celebration of a mixed marriage at the cathedral, to preach from the pulpit of Calvin following the pastor who had invited me there. I also, for a long time, celebrated mass at the Montbrillant temple during the works at the nearby Saint-Nicolas-de-Flue church.

On February 29, I will be participating in this mass which, for me, is not an intrusion, since the spirit of competition is absent, but a highlight, an intercommunity turning point, as happens in Lausanne. It is not a question of recatholicizing this memorable reformed place of prayer of the Geneva heritage, but of addressing all together to the same Christ who wishes to see us announce his message by speaking with the same voice in a society in loss of spiritual values .

Ecumenism is not optional, it is often said in temples and churches. But this call is met with resistance, some of which can be understood given the vagaries of history. However, without denying anything of ecclesial identities and their specific achievements, it is the Word of God which must be placed at the center of our debates, including in our different ethical options.

Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox think and act through their historical traditions.

Faced with the great challenges facing us, it seems vital to revitalize ourselves together in the same biblical tradition, in the Hebrew anthropology from which our Churches come. Knowing where we come from to say where we are going, our paths should converge towards the one Essential.

Created: 23.02.2020, 18h58

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.