Lenten campaign 2026
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One of the most difficult obstacles in today's world is trying to work for unity, not even outside the Church, but within the Church.
Individuals within the Church too often pledge their loyalty to a political party over the teaching of Jesus Christ. This makes it difficult to achieve unity within a diocese, as each person has their own "flag" they want to fly, bringing with it political ideologies.
Social media doesn't make it any easier, as we can become entrenched in a narrow viewpoint, being affirmed by our friends (and machine algorithms), further distancing us from other people.
The goal for all Catholics should be to achieve a harmony of belief that permeates a diocese -- from the laity all the way to the bishop. This creates a unity in Christ's mission that could shock the world.
Harmony of hearts
St. Ignatius of Antioch writes about this goal of unity in a Letter to the Ephesians:
It is fitting, therefore, that you should be in agreement with the mind of the bishop as in fact you are. Your excellent presbyters, who are a credit to God, are as suited to the bishop as strings to a harp. So in your harmony of mind and heart the song you sing is Jesus Christ. Every one of you should form a choir, so that, in harmony of sound through harmony of hearts, and in unity taking the note from God, you may sing with one voice through Jesus Christ to the Father.
Her further comments that, "If you do this, he will listen to you and see from your good works that you are members of his Son. It is then an advantage to you to live in perfect unity, so that at all times you may share in God."
Sadly this type of unity seems like a fairy tale, a fiction that could never happen on this earth.
Despite this reality, it should be something we actively pray for and do what we can as lay people. It can't be denied that if a single diocese were united in such a way, the witness to the world would be palpable.
If we want our voices to sing out loudly, we need to strive for harmony, staying faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Church.
