December 4, 2008

Rediscovering the testimonies of Christian faith men and women of different Christian traditions gave over the centuries was the goal that brought some eighty participants from a variety of traditions and countries to the Italian monastery of Bose this autumn. It would be "an important step toward the visible unity of the church" if different denominations were to recognize each other's "heroes of the faith" who witnessed to the truth of the gospel "throughout their lives," and found ways of commemorating them together, said participants of the symposium "A Cloud of Witnesses" in a message to their churches.

The 29 October to 2 November symposium was part of a joint project by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the monastery of Bose.

The effort aims to celebrate the heritage left to Christianity by men and women who exemplified the gospel in their lives – whether they are referred to as saints or martyrs or witnesses of the faith.

Among the symposium's participants were internationally recognized theologians and church leaders from Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Pentecostal backgrounds.

The message to the churches highlights the compelling example of reconciliation given by some of those who died at the hands of fellow Christians: "Repentance and forgiveness for past acts of inter-confessional violence are more likely to occur when we reflect together on those who in dying forgave their persecutors."

The message also includes a list of follow-up ideas such as an annual commemoration of faith witnesses from different traditions during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, or on All Saints' Day, for instance. An inclusion of stories about faith witnesses, saints and martyrs in the ecumenical prayer cycle (see http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle) is also a possibility.

Other suggestions include local dialogues on stories of women and men from the different churches who led exemplary lives as well as the publication of printed and online resources to share the knowledge about these faith witnesses.

While differences exist on questions concerning the intercession of the saints, canonization, veneration of saintly relics, and the practice of indulgences, the message recognizes the need for "a growing consensus that emphasis needs to be placed on the commemoration of witnesses as a source of inspiration, for all ecclesial communities."

Full text of the message: http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6443.

WCC Commission on Faith and Order: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/who-are-we/organization-structure/consultative-bodies/faith-and-order.html.

More information on the monastery of Bose's website: http://www.monasterodibose.it/index.php/content/blogcategory/223/461/lang,en.

World Council of Churches