It probably won’t have escaped your attention that, just recently, the UK monarch, King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV met in Rome and much coverage was given to the fact that they prayed side by side. What was your reaction to this event?
It’s an interesting one to ponder! My first reaction was to naturally want to downplay what others were seemingly making a great deal of. The Church of England existed initially through a remarkably unusual set of circumstances involving another UK monarch, Henry VIII and relating more to his relationships and power dynamics than theological difference. Would this prayer on its own do anything to heal a 500 year old split? Besides, in local churches and communities all over, Christians pray alongside one another: even at Emmanuel although we’re formally a Methodist-United Reformed local ecumenical partnership, people have come from all sorts of traditions. We pray and worship together bringing experience of Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of England, not to mention churches in Zambia, Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean. We do that most Sundays and we don’t get 3 minutes on the News at Ten! Besides, they could have prayed together in private without any of the public demonstration.
Fortunately, my first reaction to things is often not the best, not the clearest, and not always the one that does me most credit! I’ve been thinking more about this coming together of Charles and Leo since the actual headlines and the news subsided. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I’m coming around to what a genuinely good moment it was:
† Two Heads of Church alongside each other, each representing a denomination and doing so gladly… what’s not to like?
† Two Heads of Church, one recently elected and indeed selected, one unelected and perhaps more of a figurehead – but both committed to a display of public unity.
† Two Heads of Church for whom a 500 year old split was far, far, less important than the need to come together now – and show it.
Second reactions are often calmer, more considered, and more thoughtful than initial ones. I’m glad to say I’ve warmed to what was publicly shown. In a world where there is a great deal of division – and heaps of animosity with it – here were two individuals representing much more than themselves, trying to say something about it. So good on them both. The very short Psalm 133 comes to mind too:
1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.
The first verse is the well-known one, but isn’t there something rather poetic and beautiful about the overflowing imagery of the oil, the dew? May moments of unity overflow in our world, whether in public, private, between world and church leaders, and in and between local congregations. And note to self… don’t be so hasty next time.
Rev. Paul Tabraham
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine November 2025. The magazine, published ten times annually, features articles contributed or authored by our members. It includes a delightful blend of testimonials, devotions, book reviews, prayers, jokes, upcoming events, and more. Grab your copy of the latest magazine at the church foyer. If you prefer to receive a copy by mail or email, feel free to reach out to us.