Chers ami(e)s, Dear friends,

Je m’appelle Jacques Kabangu. En tant que président du Conseil chrétien de la région de la capitale, je vous souhaite la plus chaleureuse bienvenue à cette rencontre de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens.

My name is Jacques Kabangu. As President of the Christian Council of the Capital Area, I welcome each and every one of you with great joy as we gather this afternoon to pray for Christian Unity.

Je remercie vivement Mgr Paul-André Durocher, archevêque de Gatineau-Hull, de nous avoir encouragés à tenir cette rencontre de prières dans son diocèse.

I am also grateful to Father Dan Kelly for his generous cooperation in assisting the Council in the preparation of this gathering. As well, our recognition goes to the parishioners of Saint Mark for their generous support and involvement in making this event possible.

The week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1906, and this year, for the second time, Canada has offered the material for this gathering to the world. Therefore, as Canadians we are proud to see that our Christian values of hospitality, insight, multiculturalism and sharing are embodied in a celebration held around the globe.

« Christ est-il divisé ? » Tel est le thème proposé pour la semaine de prière en 2014. Si Christ n’est pas divisé, pourquoi le sommes-nous, nous chrétiens? Il revient aux confessions chrétiennes d’invoquer, dans la prière, l’Esprit qui inspirera paroles, attitudes et gestes qui paveront la route de l’unité.

The Lord Jesus is the very first one to pray for the unity of his disciples. Our gathering this afternoon is in keeping with the very wish and action of Jesus himself. But we should not limit this prayer of unity to one day a year. Instead, it should be extended throughout the year. Prayer for and action toward Christian Unity deserves our daily concern.

Maintenant, entrons en profondeur de nous-mêmes pour prier ensemble avec nos frères et sœurs de toutes les dénominations chrétiennes.

Called by the Spirit of the Lord, let us join in prayer with our brothers and sisters from the various Christian denominations.

Jacques Kabangu

Président du CCRC – President of the CCCA.