Ut unum sint

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Ut unum sint Latin for 'That they may be one' Encyclical of Pope John Paul II
Signature date	25 May 1995
Subject	About the ecumenical commitment
Number	12 of 14 of the pontificate
Text	In Latin In English
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Ut unum sint (Latin: 'That they may be one') is an encyclical by Pope John Paul II of 25 May 1995. It was one of 14 encyclicals issued by John Paul II. Cardinal Georges Cottier, Theologian emeritus of the Pontifical Household, was influential in drafting the encyclical.^[1]

Like many encyclicals, this one derives its title from its "incipit" or first few words. These words are taken from the prayer of Jesus "at the hour of his Passion" in the Vulgate translation of the Gospel according to John.^[2] The document deals with the Catholic Church's relations with the Eastern Orthodox Church and other Christian ecclesial communities. It reiterates that unity of these two sui juris churches is essential, as well as further dialogue and unity with the Protestant churches. This document shows that the Catholic Church is officially committed to unity. It has become a common piece of study in ecumenical classes.^{[citation needed]}

Although it builds on the Second Vatican Council's decree, Unitatis redintegratio, and pays testimony to the work of Popes Paul VI and John Paul I,^[3] Ut unum sint was the first encyclical ever devoted exclusively to the ecumenical imperative. In this groundbreaking exercise of the papal magisterium, Pope John Paul affirmed that the ecumenical commitment made at Vatican II was irreversible. He taught his fellow Catholics that the quest for Christian unity ought to be sustained both internationally and in the local churches.^[4]