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May 16 2025

In Illo Uno Unum: On a New Pope and Christian Unity

“As Bishop of Rome, I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the re-establishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” – Pope Leo XIV, in Papal letter released on Monday May 19

The recent election of Pope Leo XIV is a monumental moment in Christian history. Today, we’re honored to feature a reflection by Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodard, pastoral associate at Sacred Hearts Parish. Elizabeth is a Catholic theologian, musician, spiritual director, and author of Cruciform Ecumenism.

Below, she explores the power of the Holy Spirit to bind us together as one diverse Body in Christ, drawing from her experience in UB’s Christian unity cohort.


The selection of Pope Leo XIV this past week is an exciting event in the life of Christians worldwide. For many, it is a sign of Christian unity; for others, it is a stumbling block to unity. As a Roman Catholic theologian, I celebrate not just Pope Leo, but the office of bishop and the chair of Saint Peter in general, as a sign of unity among those who follow Christ. I believe that the office is the locus of the Church’s apostolicity, by which we claim not just any faith, but the faith Christ handed to the apostles. The succession of bishops and of popes demonstrates our continuity to the original, unchanged deposit of faith.

I know many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who belong to Protestant communions find the papacy divisive. The pope and the authority the Catholic Church attributes to him (as well as to all bishops), highlights the disparity between Christians who recognize that authority and those who do not. My Catholic ecclesiology is highly centralized. Christian communions who emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit more equally among all believers find the papacy to be a source of disunity among all Christ’s followers.

However, this isn’t the end of the story. I am filled with renewed hope for unity today than I have had in a long time. I was recently blessed to be part of a year-long unity cohort run by the Revs. Kelly Fassett and Devlin Scott of UniteBoston. It concluded with a retreat last weekend during which we finalized a “Beloved Community Lab” curriculum we had been working on throughout the year.

During the retreat, I was reminded of many of the reasons I am an ecumenist. I was reminded that the Church does not hold a monopoly on God; God is free to act in whatever ways he so chooses and through whichever people. I was reminded that God does, in fact, bless all the baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit to believe and to follow the Lord. This is a fact on which I believe both Catholics and Protestants agree. I was also reminded of the beautiful diversity among the body of Christ. During our weekend, we prayed on 1 Corinthians 12, that is Saint Paul’s metaphor of the Church (the Body of Christ) as a literal body.  How boring (and ineffective!) it would be if hands tried to be eyes, or ears, feet. 

I love my Church and I celebrate the newly begun pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. The first U.S. born Pope in the 2,000-year history of our Church, the 267th successor of Saint Peter is a Chicago Native who also later became a Peruvian citizen. He led the Augustians, a monastic order dedicated to the values of Saint Augustine, which includes “life in common.”

To this end, I recognize that even my own Catholic Church recognizes the unity among all the baptized. When someone already baptized becomes Catholic, the Catholic Church does not re-baptize them. They recognize the validity of all baptisms. Moreover, recent Popes such as Paul VI and John Paul II have emphasized the importance of ecumenism, writing, “Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. But the Lord of Ages wisely and patiently follows out the plan of grace on our behalf, sinners that we are. In recent times more than ever before, He has been rousing divided Christians to remorse over their divisions and to a longing for unity…” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 1).

Furthermore, our newest Pope, Leo XIV, chose for his coat of arms a Latin phrase, In illo uno unum, or “In the One, we are one.” It beautifully calls to mind the holy enterprise of ecumenical unity, and John 17:21, in which Jesus prays, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

I pray that Pope Leo’s pontificate is one during which all Christians can remember and celebrate our unity in baptism, through which Christ claims us as his own and bestows in us the power of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is not one of division, but one of unity, in which we all together call God “Abba!” This translates as “father,” or, more intimately, “daddy.” As we look to the Holy Father as the vicar of Christ who taught us to call God our Father, I pray that this era may be one of greater and greater unity among Christians. Though we disagree on certain matters of ecclesiology and theology, do we not together cry to God, in the name of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, “Abba?” 

I pray that God might help me see all Christians more clearly in their diverse beauty as my brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating our uniqueness, our unity-in-diversity, much as we celebrate the variety of gifts within our friend groups or our families. May we all grow in holiness, and together seek daily conversion of heart and mind in the Holy Spirit, that we might be “one in the one.”


More on Pope Leo: 

  • Pope Leo XIV’s Papal letter from 5/19/25 stating that he seeks to build on Pope Francis’ legacy of fraternal relations
  • Archbishop Henning says Pope Leo XIV is a “Gift to the Church” (Boston Pilot)
  • Prayers for Pope Leo (Rev. Mariama White-Hammondl, New Roots Church) 
  • Pope Leo’s Motto and Coat of Arms (Vatican News)
  • Orthodox leaders welcome Leo XIV’s election as ‘sign of hope’ for Christian unity (La Croix International)
  • What Pope Leo Has Said about Five Key Issues (National Catholic Register)

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog · Tagged: christian unity, community, jesus, uniteboston, unity

May 13 2025

Patriots Faith Night – May 19

We are excited to invite you to a special evening of faith, fellowship, and footballat Bethel AME Church!

Join us on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM for Patriots Faith Night, featuring Hunter Henry, Marcellas Dial, Jaylinn Hawkins, and others. This event will be a powerful time of inspiration, testimonies, and connection with players who embrace their faith both on and off the field.

📍 Location: Bethel AME Church, 40 Walk Hill St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
🚗 Parking: Available in the lot next to the church. Also a short walk from the Forest Hill T station.

This is an opportunity to hear stories of faith and perseverance from athletes and how their disciplines transcend their on field success.

We would love to have you and your youth join us! Please reach out with any questions at info@bostoncollaborative.org. Attached is a flyer you can share broadly.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: boston, church, faith, inspiration, unity

May 09 2025

Active Shooter Safety Training

Join us for a crucial community safety event hosted by the Boston Police Department in collaboration with Global Ministries Christian Church, Boston Praise Radio & TV, and  WBPG-LP 102.9 FM Radio. This free Active Shooter Safety Training is designed for church leaders, business owners, and community members to better prepare for emergency situations.

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025

  • Time: 12:00 PM

  • Location: Global Ministries Christian Church
    670 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

Why Attend?
This hands-on training will provide expert-led strategies and actionable guidance for responding to active shooter situations. Participants will learn critical survival techniques, situational awareness tactics, and best practices for protecting themselves and their organizations.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Real-world safety strategies

  • Proactive emergency preparedness

  • Tools to protect your community

Who Should Attend:

  • Church leaders

  • Business owners

  • Community members interested in improving safety and preparedness

This event is free and open to all!
Don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions and learn from professionals in the field of safety and crisis management. Together, we can make our communities safer.

For more information or to confirm attendance, please contact Pastor Bruce Wall at 617-283-9561.

Let’s work together for a safer Boston.

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: boston, christian, collaboration, community, unity

May 06 2025

Refresh: A Retreat for Creatives

Hosted by the Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness, this three-day retreat will provide an opportunity to prayerfully approach pains and blockers in your relationship with God, self, and others, as well as in the creative process. Activities will include biblical reflections, examining artworks, listening prayer, worship, visio divina, and community connection alongside discussions and workshops on culture, art, and the church. Refresh will be facilitated by Melanie Spinks, a Gordon-Conwell alumna and visual artist, with special contributions from Leighton Ford, Dr. Gwenfair Adams, and Adam Kurihara.

Creatives and artists of all kinds are invited to attend this retreat, with the understanding that some content will have an emphasis on visual art.

Click here to learn more or to register.

Written by Andrew Walker · Tagged: church, community, prayer, unity, worship

May 06 2025

Innovative Ministry & Nonprofit Seminar

Join us online or in person on May 22 from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for a day filled with inspiration and practical guidance for pastors, lay leaders, and nonprofit leaders. This seminar is for you if you:

  • are a pastor or nonprofit leader who needs some fresh ideas
  • are a church planter seeking new ways to reach people for Christ
  • are a student looking to connect with innovative leaders

At the Innovative Ministry and Nonprofit Seminar, you’ll hear from experienced leaders about discerning God’s direction for your church or nonprofit, and you’ll get practical advice in the context of either church ministries or nonprofit organizations. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a community that is dedicated to exploring new ways to impact the world for Christ. Also, learn about the upcoming graduate-level Innovative Strategies for Ministry Course at Gordon-Conwell this summer.

Learn more or register here. 

Written by Andrew Walker · Tagged: christ, community, inspiration, pastors, unity

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