In this Octave for Christian Unity, Friar Enrique Eguiarte accompanies us with a pastoral lesson from Saint Augustine: unity grows when there is listening, patience, and charity in dialogue.
Dialogue and unity: Saint Augustine, the Donatists, and ecumenical charity
Saint Augustine continually sought dialogue with the Donatists, with those who belonged to the schismatic Church. He was always open to listening to their points of view and inviting them to seek the truth together. To dialogue does not mean yielding on the essential elements of the faith or doctrine of the Church, but learning to listen to the other person’s points of view, and helping them to see things from another perspective, so that together we can arrive at the truth and unity. Dialogue implies knowing how to listen, having patience and respect for the other person and their ideas, but above all, dialogue implies charity and love. Only from open and trusting listening can unity be built. Sincere dialogue helps to overcome differences and see in the other a brother. That is why Saint Augustine insisted that it was necessary to say to those who did not live in the unity of the Church, “we are brothers.” These are the profound Augustinian words: “We exhort you, therefore, brothers, to practice this charity as much as possible, not only among yourselves, but also with those outside, whether those who are still pagans, who do not yet believe in Christ, or with those who have separated from us, who recognize the same head with us (Christ), but who are separated from the body. Let us have compassion on them as our brothers who they are. Whether they want it or not, they are our brothers. They would cease to be so if they stopped saying: Our Father” (en. Ps. 32,2,2, 29).
