Let’s face it—Christian disunity is a scandal. It flies in the face of the teaching of Christ, who prayed, “That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You.” (John 17:21). Yet, today, the global body of more than two billion Christians is fractured into over 45,000 denominations worldwide, with more than 200 in the United States alone.

The causes of this disunity are complex and well-documented, ranging from theological disagreements to cultural differences. However, diagnosing the problem is not my focus here. The urgent question is this: How can we, as followers of Christ, practice unity in a divided Church and a divided world? Thus, I want to focus on how to achieve Unity in Practice. 

First: Never lose sight of the goal. The goal is to follow Christ. This should be uppermost in our minds and actions at all times. When we focus on Christ’s example, everything else falls into place. Jesus Himself assured us of this: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Practicing unity begins with this mindset—to follow Christ and to see Christ in every person we meet, regardless of background, denomination, or perspective. Imagine what would happen if every Christian loved  one’s neighbor the way the Good Samaritan, in the gospel story, loved his fellow human in need, unconditionally! This practical unity with our fellow man is not merely a lofty ideal; it transforms the way we live. Such unity requires an inner renewal first. It begins in the heart. As individuals, we must cultivate the habit of asking ourselves: Am I seeing this person as Christ sees him or her? Am I responding to him or her with Christ-like love?

Second: Adopt the right means or ways of behaving. While focusing on Christ, it is essential that the means we adopt, in our relationship with others, are in conformity with the gospel. We cannot achieve unity by promoting dissension which is contrary to Christ’s teaching and example. Divisions arise when we reject others because they are different from us—be it in theology, culture, or practice. This is a betrayal of the gospel, which calls us to love one another the way He has loved us. St. Paul warned his community of Christians against selfish ambition: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). True unity demands that the end is contained in the means. This is to say: unity is built up by acts of kindness, respect for one another, and working together in love.

In society today, where polarization is rampant, the principle of adopting the Christ-like means of behavior towards others is more urgent than ever. We cannot achieve Christian unity if we mimic the world’s standards—aggressive competition or exclusion or insatiable greed at the expense of our fellow man. Instead, we must reflect Christ’s example, who welcomed sinners, washed the feet of His disciples, prayed for those who persecuted Him, and died for everyone on the cross..

Throughout history and in our own lives, there have been remarkable individuals, Saints and modern-day role-models, who exemplified unity in practice. These individuals never lost sight of their ultimate goal—following Christ—and they always chose means that reflected His teachings. They practiced humility, perseverance, and love, even in the face of great opposition.

And so, unity is not a passive ideal; it must be an active, daily practice. It requires us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ and to choose the right, Christ-like means to achieve unity in the Church and in our world. It demands that we see Christ in others, love sacrificially, and reject the divisive ways of the world so that we “may all be one.”

—Fr. Hugh Duffy, Ph.D.