Unity is not an option for the Christian. It is an imperative which springs from the very depth of Jesus' own prayer that all who claim allegiance to him might be one. Yet almost from the beginning there has been difference, diversity, conflict, which in the course of history has led to division.

Standing as we do towards the end of the millennium, we inherit the painful fact that the Church is divided. At the same time we can rejoice that the churches are engaged in a positive quest for unity, not for its own sake, not as an end in itself, but for the sake of the world. We must remain committed, whatever the obstacles, however impossible ecclesial unity may yet appear.

And here surely must be a more credible model which the Church sets before the world, whereby the gun and bomb are rejected out of hand in favour of two altogether more powerful weapons - prayer and intercession.

We recognise and respect each other as brothers and sisters in the One Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; we accept the fact that some things are not possible together, and that is a source of deep pain for all; at the same time we encourage one another in praying and working together for the sake of the world and its peoples, for their well-being and unity - ourselves pilgrims together in the way of Christ's death and resurrection.

First published in the Westminster Cathedral Bulletin of January 1994 written by the then Bishop of London, Dr. David Hope.