The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: A Celebration of Faith and Unity in Thailand
On Sunday, January 19, the Catholic Church in Thailand, alongside other Christian denominations, came together for a special ecumenical celebration at the historic Holy Rosary Church in Bangkok. This event marked the annual Day of Prayer for Christian Unity, a significant effort towards fostering unity among diverse Christian communities.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, emphasized the importance of praying for the visible unity of the Church. He reminded the congregation of Christ’s prayer for unity among believers, highlighting the Week of Prayer as a time of reflection and renewal for Christians worldwide.
Reflecting on the theme “I am the Light of the World,” Bishop Joseph encouraged the faithful to embody Christ’s love and truth, becoming beacons of hope and unity in their communities. This year’s celebration also coincided with the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 325 AD, providing an opportunity to reflect on the shared faith of Christians as expressed in the Nicene Creed.
Fr. Piyachart Makornkan, the pastor of Holy Rosary Church, highlighted the symbolic significance of hosting the ecumenical gathering at the historic church, which has been a pillar of faith in Bangkok for centuries.
During the homily, Reverend Boonrat Buayen, president of the Church of Christ in Thailand, challenged the congregation to deepen their faith by reflecting on Jesus’ question to Martha, “Do you believe this?” He emphasized the importance of demonstrating faith through unity and care for one another, stressing the essential communion with Christ and fellow believers.
Reverend Buayen urged Christians to seek deeper connections and live faithfully as disciples of Christ, inspired by the Gospel message of love and truth. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated in Thailand for over sixty years, serves as a testament to the shared commitment of churches to promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
This year’s gathering was a powerful reminder of the enduring hope for unity among Christians and the ongoing call to live out the Gospel message with faith and love. Let us continue to walk together in unity, shining the light of Christ’s love in our communities.
