Pope Benedict XVI Quotes

Common participation in the Eucharist can only be a final outcome of ecumenic dialogue, not the starting point.

It is apparent that Christianity and Islam must come, and come immediately, to a closer understanding, and it is equally apparent that their unity if achieved, will be the most effective defensive measure against Communist expansion.

In my time as Archbishop of Canterbury I've seen a growing sense of unity and mission.

5SM is an ecumenical movement.

I shall use such influence as I have in emphasizing the basic truths common to all denominations, in lowering denominational barriers and in promoting effective cooperation among Christians of whatever creed.

This common prayer project has taken years of energy, but we see it not as a way to leave our individual churches, but as a movement we hope to see permeate the larger Church.

I really do feel that these people are brothers and sisters in God's family. I am looking to build bridges with the Orthodox Church, looking to build bridges with the Catholic Church, with the Anglican church.

Find new ways to spread the word of God to every corner of the world.

It is not only our duty to pray for others, but also to desire the prayers of others for ourselves.

It's such a relief to see Catholic and Protestant ministers getting on - that's so rare. And in 'I'd Do Anything,' I've had so much support from folks back home, no matter what side they're on.

Nothing does more to activate Christian divisions than talk about Christian unity.

The mission proper to the Church is that of proclaiming the Gospel.

And if the imam and the Muslim leadership in that community is so intent on building bridges, then they should voluntarily move the mosque away from ground zero and move it whether it's uptown or somewhere else, but move it away from that area, the same as the pope directed the Carmelite nuns to move a convent away from Auschwitz.

I hope that by going to visit the pope I have enabled everybody to see that the words Catholic and Protestant, as ordinarily used, are completely out of date. They are almost always used now purely for propaganda purposes. That is why so much trouble is caused by them.

I hope the day that all the Christians are one. This is my dream.

They're after one world religion and one world government. That's why they've attacked the Catholic Church so strongly, to ultimately take control over it by their doctrine.

I think what has happened, actually, is that September 11 has given a spur, a renewed urgency, to dialogue between the great faiths.

I'm on record as being understood to be a supporter of a reformed establishment, in which other Christian denominations, and other faiths, play a major part.

It is impossible to deny that Christians and Muslims have a common agenda here: both faiths have at their heart the living image of a community raised up by God's call to reveal to the world what God's purpose is for humanity.

Religion should be a bridge to unite us and not a wedge to divide us politically.

… very dangerous … because its aim is to introduce a mingling of Protestants and Catholics

There was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men.

The ecumenical movement was exceedingly important, if not absolutely essential, to the Vatican's march toward unrestrained power in America. It halted, then blocked, criticism of the Catholic Church by all leading Protestant denominations. This no doubt contributed to the Catholic Church's success in silencing all criticism of the hierarchy's actions in the lay press.

I consider peace between world religions as a prerequisite for peace among the nations

O people of the Book; Come, let us join together on the "word" (Unity of God), that is common to us all