ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER PAUL VI
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONFERENCE
OF THE WORLD CONFESSIONAL FAMILIES

Wednesday, 18 May 1977

Dear brethren in Christ,

It is a joy for us today to receive such an important group, and to welcome you to the See of Peter.

In you we greet representatives of a considerable portion of Christian people, and through you we send our greetings of grace and peace in the Lord to your Confessional Families.

We are pleased to give expression in your presence to our common faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the one Mediator with the Father, the Saviour of the world. Yes, brethren, with the Apostle Peter we proclaim that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Act. 4, 12).

On her part the Catholic Church is solemnly committed by the Second Vatican Council to an ecumenism based on increased fidelity to Christ the Lord and on conversion of heart (Cfr. Unitatis Redintegratio, 6-7).2 At the same time she realizes that “nothing is so foreign to ecumenism as a false conciliatory approach” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 11).

Strengthened by the power of God’s word, let us then, despite all obstacles pursue the goal of full unity in Christ and in the Church.

And in humility and love let us turn our thoughts and hopes to our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, together with his Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever.