* Original message posted in: VATICAN.
* Crossposted in: IN_CATHOLIC.

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE

TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 11
ENGLISH
TUESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2011

SUMMARY:

- Beginning of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Presentation of Message for Day of Social Communications

___________________________________________________________

BEGINNING OF WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, 18 JAN 2011 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
traditionally celebrated every year from 18 to 25 January, begins today.

  The theme chosen for 2011 is: "One in the apostles' teaching, fellowship,
breaking of bread and prayer" (cf. Acts 2:42).

  The materials for the week of prayer and for the rest of 2011 have been
jointly prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and
the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

  Each day of the Week will have a different theme:

18 January: The Church in Jerusalem.

19 January: Many Members in One Body.

20 January: Devotion to the Apostles' Teaching Unites Us.

21 January: Sharing, an Expression of Our Unity.

22 January: Breaking the Bread in Hope.

23 January: Empowered to Action in Prayer.

24 January: Living in Resurrection Faith.

25 January: Called for the Service of Reconciliation.

  Although the traditional period for celebrating this week of prayer is the
month of January, in the southern hemisphere this coincides with the
holidays so Churches sometimes seek other periods such as, for example,
around the time of Pentecost, which is also a symbolically significant date
for the unity of the Church, and was suggested by the Faith and Order
movement in 1926.

  In the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 25
January, Feast of the Conversion of the Apostle Paul, Benedict XVI will
preside at the celebration of Vespers to mark the close of the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity.
.../                                                                    VIS
20110118 (270)

PRESENTATION OF MESSAGE FOR DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, 18 JAN 2011 (VIS) - At 11.30 a.m. on Monday 24 January
Benedict XVI's Message for the forty-fifth World Day of Social
Communications will be presented in the Holy See Press Office. The theme of
the Message is "Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital
age".

  The press conference will be presided by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli,
Msgr. Paul Tighe, Msgr. Giuseppe Antonio Scotti and Angelo Scelzo,
respectively president, secretary, adjunct secretary and under secretary of
the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
OP/                                                                     VIS
20110118 (100)
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 - Origin: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede (1:396/3) 
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