Pope: for Pentecostals Holy Spirit produces Church diversity but also unity
Caserta (AsiaNews) - Overcoming the boundaries between Christian Churches, which were not born divided, and awareness that the Holy Spirit produces Church diversity as well as unity are ideas Pope Francis voiced today during a meeting at the Pentecostal Church of Reconciliation in Caserta, where he met Rev Giovanni Traettino, a friend from the times when he was in Buenos Aires; someone who, like him, has been engaged in ecumenism for many years.
About 200 people were present at the meeting, mostly Pentecostals from Italy, but also from the United States, Argentina and other countries, who welcomed the pope with an applause. After that the pontiff thanked the pastor (pictured) "for this visit - a great and unexpected gift, unthinkable a short time ago" - and then talked about diversity, which is not be confused with division.
Speaking about what produces Church unity, he said, "The Holy Spirit produces Church diversity, and such diversity is so rich, so beautiful, but then, later, the same Holy Spirit produces unity. Thus, the Church is one in diversity. And to use the beautiful words from an Evangelical, which I love so much, diversity is reconciled by the Holy Spirit."
Commenting on the fact that people might be surprised by a papal visit to the Pentecostals, Francis said that he was reciprocating the visit they had made in Buenos Aires.
"'But the pope went to meet the Evangelicals,' someone might say surprised." Indeed, "But he went to meet his brothers!" the pope noted.
"Thank you so much," he said in concluding. "I ask you to pray for me, I need it . . . so that I many not be so bad. Thank you. "
Earlier, the Pope apologised for the behavior of some Catholics under Fascist Italy's race laws.
"Among those who persecuted and denounced Pentecostals, as if they were some madmen who spolt the race, there were also Catholics," he said. "I am the shepherd of Catholics, and I ask your forgiveness for those Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil."
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