"That All May Be One"

            On March 13 with millions of other TV viewers I watched Pope Francis’ first worldwide appearance. So an Argentine Jesuit, devoted to a simple lifestyle, was chosen as the leader of the whole Catholic Church! Might this event predict a new era of Catholicism? I wonder if Pope Francis will also inspire a new vision of ecumenism during his pontificate.

            Having served as executive secretary of the Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission in 1976-85, I have had the privilege of ecumenical relationships with many Protestant pastors and congregations in our area. Recently I received a call from Clarence Lassetter, a former pastor of Ft. Mitchell Baptist Church and past president of the Interfaith Commission. Our retired Bishop William A. Hughes had died and Clarence asked me to accompany him and his wife to the visitation for Bishop Hughes at our Cathedral. Clarence added, “We want to pay our last respects to our friend, Bill Hughes.”

            Clarence’s informal way of relating to the Bishop reminded me of an occasion when the Lassetters had invited him to their home for an Interfaith gathering of new clergy in town, and Bishop Hughes came. Now, Clarence and Gean wanted to express their farewell to their friend by a final visit to him. It was an occasion for me to recognize and appreciate the ecumenical contributions of people of one God and one faith.

            I pray that Pope Francis might initiate grace-filled ecumenical happenings during his leadership of the Catholic Church “that all may be one.”

                        Sr. Martha Walther, OSB