Reflection Before flying back to Rome, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the success of his visit and reminded the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales to ‘present in its fullness the life-giving message of the gospel’ and to ‘encourage people to aspire to higher moral values in every area of their lives, against a background of growing cynicism regarding even the possibility of virtuous living’. The Holy Father also outlined two priorities: the new translation of the Missal and the recent document on receiving Anglicans into full communion with the Catholic Church. This document, Anglicanorum Coetibus, should be seen as a ‘prophetic gesture’, remarked the Pope, ‘that can contribute positively to the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion.’ For the Holy Father, such activity is to be characterised by a ‘mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies which will serve to enrich us all.’ The goal of communion and Christian Unity has been a recurring theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate. Initially commentators remarked on his desire for reconcilation with the Churches of the East, but the Holy Father’s focus was not restricted just to these. At his inauguration he recalled the words of Christ: ‘I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must lead them too, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd’ (John 10:16). The day after his election, addressing the Cardinal Electors, the Pope spoke of Christ’s expression of hope for the unity of those who believe in him. For his part, the Pope ‘knows that he must make himself especially responsible for his Divine Master’s supreme aspiration… This is his ambition, his impelling duty. He is aware that good intentions do not suffice for this. Concrete gestures that enter hearts and stir consciences are essential, inspiring in everyone that inner conversion that is the prerequisite for all ecumenical progress.’ As the Holy Father has a role in serving the unity of the Church so do we: ‘each one of us must come before Christ, the supreme Judge of every living person, and render an account to him of all we
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pilgrim