Cardinal Kurt Koch calls ecumenism a sign of unity and peace during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, urging reflection ahead of 2030.
Newsroom (20/01/2026 Gaudium Press) As Christians across the globe mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25, Cardinal Kurt Koch has framed ecumenism as not only a spiritual mission but also a social imperative. Speaking to Vatican News, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to walk together along the path of Christian reconciliation, underscoring that unity among believers is a vital contribution to world peace.
“Ecumenism can assist society if it does not mirror society’s discord, but is rather itself a sign of unity,” Cardinal Koch observed. His words, spoken in the midst of persistent global conflict and polarization, carried both urgency and hope. In a fractured world, he argued, Christianity’s example of togetherness could serve as a model for healing divisions beyond religious boundaries.
Unity Through the Spirit
This year’s Week of Prayer theme draws from the Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” The materials were prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, itself a powerful symbol of enduring faith in the face of history’s trials.
For Cardinal Koch, this scriptural foundation is more than a meditation—it is, as he described, “a passionate appeal by Saint Paul for unity.” The choice of text, he noted, holds deep resonance. “When you consider that Paul wrote this letter from prison, we see how serious it is for him,” he said. “In prison you don’t occupy yourself with trivialities.”
In an age when differences often devolve into divisions, Koch’s reflections draw attention to the heart of ecumenical dialogue: the conviction that diversity need not mean discord. “If Christianity itself is a divided heap, then it cannot offer society very much,” he warned, suggesting that the fragmented witness of Christian churches weakens their collective moral voice.
2030: Reflection, Not Deadline
Looking ahead, Cardinal Koch addressed growing interest in the year 2030—the 500th anniversary of the Confessio Augustana, a foundational text of the Lutheran Reformation. He cautioned against treating anniversaries as deadlines. “In ecumenism I do not name deadlines. The deadlines are set by the Holy Spirit, not by us,” he said.
Still, he recognized the symbolic weight of the date. “2030 is a point for reflection,” the Cardinal explained, calling it a moment to renew efforts toward overcoming centuries-old divisions that date back to the Reformation itself.
Quoting theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg, Koch acknowledged a tension at the heart of Protestant history: that the Reformation’s enduring legacy of division ran contrary to Martin Luther’s original desire for universal renewal. “The division of the Church represented a failure,” he said, invoking Pannenberg’s critique, “since Luther sought the renewal of all Christianity.” Echoing this sentiment, Koch reaffirmed, “Jesus wanted one Church, not a variety of Churches.”
The Challenge of Nicaea
In closing, Cardinal Koch pointed to the enduring significance of the Council of Nicaea, whose 1,700th anniversary was recently commemorated. The Nicene Creed, he reminded, remains a touchstone for common faith across churches. Its message of one God, one faith, and one baptism continues to anchor the Christian world’s search for harmony.
“Unity can only be found in our common faith,” the Cardinal said. “The challenge of Nicaea remains relevant.” His words echo across the centuries—from Paul’s prison cell to the council halls of Nicaea, from Luther’s Wittenberg to today’s divided world—reminding Christians that the quest for unity is never complete, but always essential.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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