Let us celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021

How beautiful and inspiring it is to see that Roman Catholics and Protestants in Davao City celebrate together the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY!

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebration of unity will push through on January 18 to 25, 2021. The materials and theme of this year’s celebration was prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in France, with the guidance and support of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity based in Vatican and the World Council of Churches of the Protestants based in Geneva, Switzerland. The theme is “ABIDE IN MY LOVE AND YOU SHALL BEAR MUCH FRUIT” (confer John 15:5-9).

To continue promoting Christian unity in Davao City, an ecumenical coordination meeting was held in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Bonifacio Street, Davao City, hosted by Rev. Haniel Taganas, Executive Pastor, Davao City Church, and presided over by Fr. Pedro Lamata, Director, Davao Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue.

The participants were: Fr. Hermie Garcia, SSS of the Assumption Parish, Rev. Melvin Serrano of the United Methodist Church, C.M. Recto St., Msgr. Victoriano Polestico of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Aglipayan Church), Pastor Rolando Badoy, representing the Philippine Council of the Evangelical Churches, Pastor Grace Baguisan, UCCP, Pastor Edith Ramoso, UCCP, Brother Domingo Alob, representing the Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate of Davao, Rev. Haniel Taganas, UCCP and Fr. Pedro Lamata, Roman Catholic Church.

The participants agreed that each church-community will broadcast live or recorded delayed broadcast through Facebook on-line. The following church-communities committed to have simple prayer and fellowship with limited number of participants strictly observing health protocols. The schedule: January 18, 2021, Monday, Assumption Parish Church, 7:00 p.m., January 19, Tuesday, UCCP-Bonifacio Church, 7:00 p.m., January 21, Thursday, United Methodist Church, C.M. Recto St., 7:00 p.m., January 22, Friday, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, F. Torres Street, 7:00 pm, January 23, Saturday, St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, La Verna, 7:00 pm.

The ecumenical coordination meeting ended with the high notes of solidarity, joy and hope that higher degree and quality of Christian unity may be achieved with our united prayers and support. (St. Francis of Assisi Parish – La Verna SOCCOM)