Pope in Syria - 2001-05-05

This difference in celebrating the Feast of Easter, unfortunately, divides Christian families of mixed denominations. 
It is also an embarrassment when it is celebrated at different dates in other cities, towns and countries. 
The present differences in calculating Easter Sunday in advance each year reflects the tragic divisions among the Christian churches.
As a consequence of these divisions,
the Easter date is used in some places as an expression of distinction and difference among the Christian churches.
In many places, families are divided over the separate observances.
In many societies, the witness to Christ and His Gospel is weakened by this sign of church division. 
The difficulties surrounding the date of Easter Sunday will be especially prominent this year.
Most Orthodox Christians will be observing the Feast of the Resurrection five weeks later than most Roman Catholic and Protestants.
In many lands, Christian churches will bear witness to their divisions through these celebrations.
In many places, especially where Christians are a minority, their divided celebrations will weaken their witness to all. 
In emphasizing the importance of a unified celebration, the Council of Nicaea was in fact affirming the deepest meaning
of the Resurrection and drawing the churches away from a counter witness of division.
In celebrating this "Feast of Feasts," Christians are recalling all the mighty acts of God which are centered upon
the death and Resurrection of Christ.
The Triune God has acted to restore us to unity with himself, with one another and with the entire creation.
The joyous remembrance of the Resurrection of Christ is a celebration of unity and reconciliation.
A solemn and joyous celebration of the Resurrection together by all Christian churches throughout the world can be a powerful witness to the Father's mighty act in Christ and our faithful response to him in the Spirit.

What can we do about it ?  

Join the Holy Father's prayers.   Fast.  Offer up your  fast for the sake of Christian Unity and specifically for the unity of the Feast of Easter.   Jesus was crucified ONCE.   This scandal of multiple celebrations causes confusion in the minds and hearts of anyone who is attracted to Christianity and to the non-believers. 

You can offer up your masses to this intention.  The Clergy can also add this intention along with all the usual ones during Mass.  As for the laity, every time we have communion, you can pray for this special intention in your hearts.

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{ from the Bishop's letter of 1982 }

Call for the unification of the glorious Easter feast

Based on our faith on one Christ, and in view of realizing one United Church, we call, we the laity believers in Christ, all the spiritual leaders, patriarchs and bishops, to answer our pressing desire of adopting the Oriental calendar, so that we could celebrate the glorious feast of Easter together, in order that the latter becomes a symbol of unity of our faith, rather that it remains, as is the case presently, a symbol of our division.

PETITION POUR L'UNITÉ DE LA FÊTE DE PÂQUES

Cette différence entre les dates de la célébrtion de la Fête de Pâque, malheureusement, divise nos familles chrétiennes mixtes. 
C'est aussi un embarras quand il s'agis de fêter cette fête à des différentes dates dans d'autres villes, contrées ou pays.

Que faire alors ?  

Se joindre aux prières du Saint Père.   Jeûner. 
Offrir notre jeune à l'intention de l'unité des chrétiens et spécifiquement à l'intention de l'unité de la Fête de Pâques.  
Jésus fut crucifié UNE SEULE FOIS.  
Ce scandale des fêtes multiples est une cause de confusion dans l'esprit et le coeur de toute personne attirée par le christianisme
et aux non-croyants.

Vous pouvez aussi offrir vos messes à cette intention.  
Le clergé peux aussi ajouter cette intention aux autres intentions usuelles de la sainte messe. 
Quant aux laïcs, lors de chaque communion, vous pouvez prier intérieurement à cette intention.

___________________

{ de la lettre d'évêques de 1982 }

Appel pour l'unification de la fête glorieuse de Pâques

Basé sur notre foi en un Christ unique, et en vue de la réalisation d'une Église Unie, nous prions, nous les laïcs croyants en Christ, tous les chefs spirituels tant patriarches qu'évêques, de répondre à notre désir pressant d'adoption du calendrier oriental, afin de célébrer la glorieuse fête de Pâques ensemble, pour que celle-ci devienne un symbole d'unité de notre foi, au lieu qu'elle demeure, comme c'est le cas actuellement, un symbole de notre division.

_{PETIZIONE PER L'UNITÀ CRISTIANA - ITALIAN}