Lahore: January 26, 2016. (Fr. Inayat Bernard) “It is a miracle that the religious leaders of different denominations are sitting together for worship in St. John’s Catholic Church, Youhanabad, Lahore”. Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM was talking to some 140 pastors and faithful gathered for the closing prayer service on 25ht January being the last day of Unity Octave. He continued that we need not to be one in administration but appreciate the difference which is found in each one. The best thing is though different we are, to worship together and meet and create such occasions not only once a year in the unity octave but this should go on during the year as well. He said that today on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul we need to open our eyes and change our inner glasses and look differently to one another with the clear vision of unity, love and concern. He congratulated the Ecumenical Solidarity Committee Lahore for their efforts to bring the church leaders and faithful together to pray as Jesus Christ is our unity symbol as he had prayed that all maybe one. Church of Pakistan Bishop Irfan Jamil of Lahore said that to promote the mighty deeds of the Lord is a responsibility automatically as being Christian. We need not to condemn the darkness of the world but lit the candle to play our individual role in society and the church alike. He said that we have not to be content with just one week’s prayer service at different churches but have an opportunity this year to come close to one another and conduct more prayers services to provide an occasion for the faithful to express this unity. Biblical Scholar and Theologian Fr. Emmanuel Asi commented at the end that it was in 1966 soon after the Vatican II that Fr.(Abp Emeritus) Lawrence John Saldanha had started this process of ecumenical movement since he was the participant in the Vat 11 from 1962 to 1965. He said that where there is no unity, there is no evangelization. We thank the Lord that we are united in faith in Jesus Christ. He suggested to re-read the Reformation and organize programs in 2017 being the 500 years of Reformation. Fr. Asi continued that to be different is our identity and we need to appreciate each one’s Charism with broad hearts. We have to remain strong in our denominational traditions and cherish them while being open to other denominations as well. The mercy and love of God are important to go on in our unity process. The main speaker of the closing prayer service, Vicar general of the church of Pakistan diocese of Raiwind Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar said that he entered the Catholic church for the first time to preach though he has passed through here several times. It was the effect of the ecumenical solidarity committee’s efforts. He said we are given this honour to be his people and he has shown us the way to give his life for the others. Telling a story of two brothers that the younger brother ran back home with blood stained on his shirt because out of anger he had killed a man. Chased by the police his elder brother at once wore his clothes and was jailed. On the day he was to be hanged, he was asked his last wish and he said that he wanted to see his younger brother. At this moment he told his brother that, “I have given my life for you. Never again you commit such a crime since there will be nobody to take your place again.” Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar said that the conversion of St. Paul reminds us that as he was happy at the martyrdom of St. Stephen, today the terrorists feel happy by killing different human beings. We remember the martyrdom of St., John’s and Christ church’s faithful who were attacked on the 15th March 2015 that they may rest in peace. He ended by saying that the mighty deeds of love, service and mercy of Jesus are to be promoted through our words and actions. Salvation Army divisional commander Major Salamat Masih congratulated the Ecumenical Solidarity Committee Lahore for their efforts to conduct regularly the unity octave from January 2013. He wished that more and more programs would be organized during the year to reach this message to all the faithful of all denominations. We could be different but are asked not to create fractions amongst us but look at the positive elements found in the services of each denomination. Presbyterian Church in Pakistan’s representative and member of the ESCL Rev. Amjad Niamat said that on behalf of the newly elected moderator of Presbyterian Church Dr. Majeed Able, he wished that we be united to pray together and shun the hatred which might be among our faithful in different denominations. We need to encourage the good being done buy individual denominations. Giving the background of the unity octave Fr. Inayat Bernard, rector St. Mary’s Seminary said that it was October 2012 that some of the representatives of the 4 main line churches met to organize unity week 2013. The unity Octave was going on regularly in the past years but it was stopped for some years. So we re-organized it and have had three unity Octaves in 2013, 2014, 2015 and now is the fourth unity week. During the year we organize Alleluia Conference on the 2nd Saturday after Easter Sunday. The first of its kind was organized at St. Joseph Church Lahore Cantt. in 2013 and the second one was at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in 2014 and the third was conducted at the Salvation Army Headquarters and this year’s alleluia conference will be at the Central Cathedral warris road. Besides that we agreed to fix the date 14th December for Ecumenical Christmas Carol .The first program was at the Praying hand cathedral Waris Road in 2012, the second was at St. Joseph Church Lahore Cantt. in 2013 the third in 2014 was at the Salvation Army headquarters and the fourth one was at St. Mary’s Church Gulberg, Lahore. The topic of this year is "Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord" (1 Peter 2:9) The text is jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the WCC, through the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order. Vicar General and parish priest of St. John’s Church. Youhanabad Fr. Francis Gulzar welcomed the pastors and faithful in his church and expressed his joy to be the host of them all. Prayers of the faithful were said by faithful of different denominations. First reading from Is 52:7-09 was read by Rev. Irshad Ashknaz of the Church of Pakistan, Shahazad Khuram of the Presbyterian church read the second reading from 1 Peter 2:4-10 while the Gospel was read by Fr. Khaliq Saleem OMI. The pastors and the faithful joined in the evening meal together hosted by Fr. Francis Gulzar. Fr, Inayat Bernard thanked all on behalf of the coordinator Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap.