Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, has sent his greetings to the Assembly.

In his message, he congratulates WSCF for making an effort on shaping "a new vision aiming at weaving the gift of prophecy into the fabric of the ecumenical movement" and also states that "young people such as you who are gathering in Montréal are the treasure our Churches have in fostering the unity of Christians in our difficult times".

The Cardinal's full message follows below:

Message of Cardinal Walter Kasper
to the 34th General Assembly of the
World Student Christian Federation

Dear Delegates to the 34th General Assembly of the WSCF gathering in Montréal,

The well–chosen theme of the 34th General Assembly of your Federation, “Your Sons and Daughters Shall Prophesy” (Joel 2:28) presents an opportune occasion for me to congratulate you on the efforts you are making to shape a new vision aiming at weaving the gift of prophecy into the fabric of the ecumenical movement. Indeed, young people inspired with vision and insight are the hope of the ecumenical commitment.

I am thinking in particular of the 21st century and its challenges, and of the priority of the engagement of young people pursuing their education in universities and colleges. The world is becoming more and more interdependent, and the modern relevance of Christianity can only be understood clearly if Christians find ways and means to speak together as one voice. The formation of a strong Christian conscience is crucial for fostering a world of peace, justice and reconciliation, and for the protection of creation. Young people such as you who are gathering in Montréal are the treasure our Churches have in fostering the unity of Christians in our difficult times.

2.

It is important to underscore that the spiritual life of every Christian will always be based on a movement toward Christ. The nearer we come to Christ, the nearer we will come to one another. This is a dynamic principle, which is nonetheless based on the reality that when we put God at the centre we will certainly make the difference that matters. By making God and His Son Jesus Christ the point of reference, you will succeed, thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in finding the fullness of life, which is the authentic outcome of doing His will. Prophecy follows naturally as a way to share the fruits of the Spirit. Thus the ecumenical movement cannot merely remain a pure exchange of ideas. It becomes an exchange of gifts (cf. Ut unum sint, 28), understood as harvesting the fruits of dialogue. For your 34th General Assembly, it is my profound hope that you begin to envisage how to harvest the fruits of the work of students of the past generations, appropriating them for the future of the wider ecumenical movement. The reception of such ideals is as essential as the planting itself of the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation. You will discover that you have many gifts to offer and to receive. As Christian students, you will also find many occasions to exercise Christ’s loving mission, giving the best of what you are in order to live the Gospel of Love in a tangible way.

May God be with you, and may your General Assembly be a success.

With cordial best wishes,

Walter Cardinal Kasper
President
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity