Pope Francis has described the division between the different denominations of the Church as the work of the devil. "Division is the work of the Father of Lies, the Father of Discord, who does everything possible to keep us divided," he said in a video message a 'Celebration of Christian Unity' event organised by the John 17 Movement in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The movement is named after the biblical passage in which Jesus prays for his disciples "that they may be one as we are one".
He also said that the devil is responsible for the persecution of Christians around the world. "It is he who is persecuting Christians today, who is anointing us with (the blood of) martyrdom." Francis added that Christians are united by their experience of persecution, saying: "we are living in an 'ecumenism of blood'."
|