VATICAN - It was the moment that made ecclesiastical history. The King and the Pope joined together in prayer, marking the public end to a 500-year-old divide and made ecclesiastical history. It was quiet, simple and understated: blink, in fact, and you might have missed it. The two heads of state, standing before a congregation in the Sistine Chapel, did not put their hands together, kneel or bow their heads conspicuously. Instead, the Pope and the Archbishop of York, representing the Church of England, spoke words of prayer in unison. “Amen,” replied the King.
For the King, who has made it his mission to bridge the gap between faiths and now within the Christian faith, it was an immeasurably important gesture. Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul’s Basilica, told a small congregation that the “significance of this visit today cannot be overestimated”, explaining that the churches of England and Rome had moved from “mutual incomprehension and suspicion” to a relationship which has grown “deeper and warmer”.
Speaking directly to the King, who sat in a throne-like chair built for him which will remain in the basilica in perpetuity, he added: “Your presence is historic by any measure or calculation.” It marked, he said, the start of a “soul-stirring new chapter”. The ecumenical service was created to mark the metaphorical joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England.
The significance of this event will probably be lost on most in the world, but for those who have prophetic understanding, this is "big news"! Both the King and the Pope are Heads of State. Both the King and the Pope are the religious leaders of their states.
The Roman Catholic Goal: In 1978, Mr Armstrong wrote:
"Pope John... sought to strengthen the Roman Catholic Church by launching the Ecumenical Movement – hoping to bring back to the 'Mother Church' her daughters that had gone out of her in PROTEST – calling themselves Protestant." (Pastor General's Report 07/08/1978)
The Catholics understand! Their comments:
Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul’s Basilica, told a small congregation that the 'significance of this visit today cannot be overestimated'. Speaking directly to the King... he added: 'Your presence is historic by any measure or calculation.' The ecumenical service was created to mark the metaphorical joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England."
“Just what is an APOSTLE?”
Today we find the Church of God in a “wilderness of religious confusion!”
The confusion is not merely around the Church – within the religions of the world outside – but WITHIN the very heart of The True Church itself!
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