To the students of the Graduate School of Ecumenical Institut of Bossey, John Paul II, 22 February 1980

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE STUDENTS OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
OF THE ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE OF BOSSEY

Saturday, 23 February 1980

My dear friends of the Graduate School of the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey,

You have spent the last five months at Bossey, near Geneva, in what must have been a deep ecumenical experience. Reflecting together on the Kingdom of God and the future of humanity, you have come closer together in that knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ which are at the foundation of all serious ecumenical endeavours.

At the same time I am confident that you have come to a greater knowledge of and respect for the variety of traditions existing among Christians. You have developed a new awareness of the necessity of striving, with sincerity and fidelity to truth, to overcome those differences which still prevent Christians from expressing fully the faith and communion which are the Lord’s will for them.

In prayer, moreover, you will have gained new insights into just how much perfect Christian unity is a gift of God’s grace - a gift to be sought humbly and perseveringly in the name of Jesus.

Today I am very happy to welcome you to Rome as you spend the final week of your programme in meetings with the offices, communities and faculties of the Catholic Church here. May these first-hand contacts help you to deepen your genuine understanding of the institutions and life of the Catholic Church.

Be assured that my prayers accompany you as you return to your homes and to your Churches, determined to be more faithful servants of the Lord, and instruments of his peace and his justice among all those whose lives you may touch in the future.

And may the Holy Spirit assist you to grow "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory now and in the day of eternity. Amen"[1].

[1] 2 Petr. 3, 18.