Lahore: February 4, 2015. (Fr. Inayat Bernard) “The interdenominational dialogue between churches is going on from 1908”. Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM of Lahore was talking to the faithful gathered at the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection for the closing unity octave prayer service. He said that it was in October 2012 that the Holy Father Francis stressed in the Synod of Bishops held at Rome that the families have to instill the love of each other among the children. When they are trained for respect and love toward the others, they will know the value of unity among churches. The parents are blessed with the kids when they see them to shun hatred towards one another but show their love and concern to the other children as well. Bishop Alexander John Malik, the Bishop Emeritus of Lahore said that we are not asking for the structural unity but respecting each denomination when we come together to pray and to sing to the Lord and have deeper working relationships. At the silver jubilee of Rev. Shahid P. Meraj he appreciated his multi-dimensional services and asked the other pastors not only to be content with the religious duties but work for the betterment and development of the faithful. On the occasion of the 128th anniversary of the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection, Bishop Malik prayed for the founders, the pastors and the congregation who have been praying regularly in this Cathedral and have been spiritually edified. He wished that the feast of the conversion of St. Paul may enlighten all the faithful and the religious leaders to follow his footsteps and may become strong in their faith. Dr. Majeed Able of the Presbyterian Church congratulated the church anniversary and the silver jubilee of Rev. Shahid P. Meraj. He said that we need not to merged into one denomination but respect and appreciate one another’s chrism. He said that when we enter the Cathedral, we are one in Jesus Christ. Internationally we may belong to any denomination but we are same in the faith of the Lord our Savior. Salvation Army territorial commander Col Iver Telfer said that he was privileged to be present for interdenominational prayer service. He said that he was happy to be the part of the 128th anniversary of the Cathedral on the occasion of the feast of the conversion of St. Paul and the silver jubilee celebration of the dean of Cathedral Rev. Shahid P.Meraj. He said that we are happy to be the part of the one body of Jesus Christ. The message from the Salvation Army general was also red out. Dr. Liaqat Qaiser, Principal of the Full Gospel Assembly said that it is an historical day to celebrate three events together on the closing of the unity week. He said by such events we come close to each other and while learning from one another we have to strength the faith of one another. He hoped for a better future of the interdenominational work in the country and especially in Lahore. Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar of the church of Pakistan diocese of Raiwind extended the best wishes from the moderator Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah who is under the heart treatments in the United States that he is appreciating this visible unity which is being expressed by the mainline churches. He said that it is not the distance which separates us but the silence. So we need to be expressive and participate in the religious activities of one another. Rev. Fr. Jacob Joseph Dogra former vicar general of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad diocese and current chancellor gave a story of unity that a poor man sat under the tree and asked his one son to bring firewood and other to bring water. At the tree a bird asked what will you cook and the father told that they were to catch him and slay. The bird said yes due to their unity it was possible so in order to safe his life he told him to dig under the tree and they found a huge treasure. They became rich and the greedy neighbors also did the same. But due to their disunity they were unable to gain the treasure. Fr. Jacob ended that through unity octave we can become strong in one another’s faith while appreciating the work done by each denomination. Anglican Canon Phil Rowling of the diocese of Manchester in England said that he was happy to be part of the program from the United Kingdom. He had participated in Catholic Cathedral last in the unity program along with his two English guests. He said that in Christ we are one though different parts of the same body. He extended the best wishes from the diocese of Manchester in England.