Ecumenism in Mexico

Celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

For the last number of years, our brothers in Mexico (like the S/W brothers across the world) have been celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is an international event put on by the World Council of Churches and always takes place from 18-25 January. Our brothers in Monterrey have gotten ever more involved in their city’s activities, and this is a short report about it.

Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera of Monterrey, himself responsible for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference has charged a priest, Father Mario Escalera, to organize activities during that week; and Father Escalera is looking increasingly to the Servants of the Word for participation. He knows that they are part of an ecumenical brotherhood, so he thinks they are perfectly positioned- though all Catholics- to get involved in this venture.

Over the years, friendships have formed between Catholic clergy and pastors from all kinds of Protestant and Free church congregations: Anglican, Evangelical, Methodist, and those brothers and sisters put together the yearly program for that week. The basic format is as follows: every night a different congregation hosts an evening of prayer and sharing. They follow the prayer liturgy produced by the World Council of Churches and afterward host a little agape. At least two of our brothers participate in each of the week’s service and are asked to share something of their experience: at times even some of our youngest brothers are put on the spot.

The basic format is as follows: every night a different congregation hosts an evening of prayer and sharing

One high point for all involved is the celebration of the Lord’s Day on Saturday evening. About thirty people, including some leaders of Jesed, the local Sword of the Spirit community, gather at our brothers’ house and do what we as Servants of the Word do every Saturday night: say some prayers reminiscent to the Jewish Sabbath prayers in order to welcome the Sunday; passing around bread, wine and cheese and having a festive meal. Over dinner different ones of the participants share their own ecumenical experiences.

This year Stu Ferguson, a Reformed brother from one of our houses in Michigan, happened to be in town, so he gave the message. This provoked one of the pastors to remark:

Now I know that you brothers are truly ecumenical!

There is lots more to do to move toward Christian unity, in particular in a country which is majority Catholic; but we count ourselves privileged to be part of this journey.