Christian Churches in the Philippines opened the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" with an ecumenical service on the third day of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy on Jan. 18.
"It is high time for all Trinitarian Churches in the country and in Asia to unite and stand together in a common mission of mercy," said Pastor Junwel Bueno of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
Bueno said churches in the Philippines "face a great challenge of how to stand as one" on pressing issues in the country.
The Protestant pastor noted that Philippine churches are divided on issues of social justice. "To effectively carry out the mission of Jesus Christ is to uphold unity and diversity," he said.
Church leaders from various religious denominations led the prayer attended by some 6,000 local and international delegates of the international meeting on mercy in Lipa Archdiocese.
Representatives of Christian churches in the Philippines lead an ecumenical prayer service at the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy to officially start the observance of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" in the country on Jan. 18. (Photo by Angie de Silva)