Understand The Times, International

Comment from UTT:

For the last five years we have been sounding the alarm that it would not be long before the pope would call for ecumenical unity centered around the Eucharist. This is what mass is all about - a priest as the agent of transubstantiation, who supposedly has the power to transform a wafer into the presence of Jesus, offered again and again as an unbloody sacrifice for sin.

In the following article, Pope Benedict calls for the Eucharist to be the focal point of a common unity. In a previous statement made in a message the pope gave in Sydney one day before, the pope called for religions to come together for the cause of eliminating terrorism. While it may be possible for religions to consider terrorism as a cause for unity, it seems impossible that accepting the Roman Catholic Jesus being present in a wafer could ever happen.

It will. First, the separated brethren - Anglicans, Lutherans and then experience based emerging purpose-driven Christians - who are drawn by a strong delusion and refuse to accept the Scriptures. Following lying signs and wonders and supposed appearances of "Jesus" during Eucharistic adoration as well as "apparitional appearances of Mary", people of all religions will be drawn to the mother of all churches and become part of a one world religion for peace.

Sydney, Jul 18, 2008 / 01:34 am (CNA).- Fifteen leaders of the Australian Christian church met the Pope in an Ecumenical event held in the St. Mary's Cathedral Crypt on Friday morning. In his address to the church leaders, Benedict XVI called on them to not view doctrine as divisive since that view can prevent Christians from working to improve the world.

Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell represented the Catholic Church, while Rev. Robert Forsythe was present for the Anglican Church. Leaders representing the Syrian Orthodox, Maronite Catholics, Indian Orthodox, Chinese Methodist, the Lutheran and Uniting churches were also present.

The pope delivered a short address to the leaders, praising their commitment to the ecumenical movement, citing the Covenant signed in 2004 by the members of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

"This document recognizes a common commitment, sets out goals, and acknowledges points of convergence without glossing over differences," said the Pope.

While Baptism is the starting point for ecumenical dialogue, the Pope said that, "The road of ecumenism ultimately points towards a common celebration of the Eucharist. we can be sure that a common Eucharist one day would only strengthen our resolve to love and serve one another in imitation of our Lord."

"For this reason, a candid dialogue concerning the place of the Eucharist - stimulated by a renewed and attentive study of scripture, patristic writings, and documents from across the two millennia of Christian history - will undoubtedly help to advance the ecumenical movement and unify our witness to the world," the Pontiff said.

The ecumenical movement has, the Pope observed, "reached a critical juncture. To move forward, we must continually ask God to renew our minds with the Holy Spirit, Who speaks to us through the scriptures and guides us into all truth. We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live."

"As 'fellow citizens' of the 'household of God,' Christians must work together to ensure that the edifice stands strong so that others will be attracted to enter and discover the treasures of grace within."