On Dec. 3, I had the privilege of ordaining Dennis Garrou, a married former Episcopal priest, to the sacred order of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver. God willing, Deacon Garrou will be ordained a Catholic priest in May.<\/p>\n
All this is made possible by a \u201cPastoral Provision\u201d\u009d implemented by Pope John Paul II in 1980. In its own small way this special occasion fulfills one of the main goals of Vatican II\u201d\u201dChristian unity. As the first sentence in the Decree on Ecumenism says, \u201cThe restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The importance of Christian unity cannot be emphasized enough, because Jesus Christ founded one Church and one Church only. This is not just a matter of faith, but of historical fact. The divisions that have occurred over the centuries are a sad testimony to the Fall and the effects of original sin. The separation of Christians from each other is contrary to God\u2019s will, a wound to Christ\u2019s body and a scandal to the outside world. It is like the amputation of limbs from a body, or divorce and the breakup of a family.<\/p>\n