CHRISTIAN UNITY, an interfaith religion special, will be broadcast Sunday, Sept. 21 on the CBS Television Network. Check your local station for exact time.

Over the centuries Christians have split into many groups, not always on friendly terms.  Christian Unity is an ongoing attempt to bring Roman Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox into further dialogue and cooperation.  This year The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrates its 100th anniversary in this country.

The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, in Garrison, N.Y. is a Roman Catholic Community that is home to the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement and where Christian unity is encouraged year-round. The group sponsors its annual "Week of Prayer" during the month of January, to encourage Christian unity, which a tenth century Abbot described as a, "unity that Christ wills, as he wills and when he wills". Rev. James J. Gardiner, SA, is director of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, and he offers an historical perspective on the center's significant contributions to the ecumenical movement.  

The program also includes interviews with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, a leading voice in ecumenism and the state of the movement today, and with  Rev. George A. Kilcourse, professor of theology at Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky., author of Double Belonging: Interchurch Families and Christian Unity, and a pioneering voice in the field of ecumenical marriages.  He joined by a colleague, Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, Associate Professor of Theology at Bellarmine, who adds her perspective.

We explore Louisville, Ky., a southern, Bible-belt community where the ecumenical spirit thrives.  We learn how the city effectively embraced the idea of unity among Christian denominations, not only through community outreach but also in helping to bridge racial divides. The Rev. Joe Phelps, Pastor of Highland Baptist Church, is interviewed alongside Rev. Clay Calloway, Associate Minister of St. Stephen's Baptist Church, as they talk about "No Murders Metro," an inter-denominational campaign they created to raise awareness about local homicides.  Rev. Phelps says, "We've found common cause in our faith, and in the issues that face us as people across the denominational and racial lines that unite us. "

Also featured is Rev. Lincoln Bingham, Pastor, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, who has devoted much of his religious life to the ministry of reconciliation.  As co-chairman of the Greater Louisville Christian Reconciliation Ministries, he is quoted as saying, "What we do helps to open eyes. When I get in a dialogue with a ministerial group of different denominational affiliation my understanding is opened and broadened."  CHRISTIAN UNITY reveals the wishes of many that the one Christian faith be fully united once again. 

John P. Blessington is the executive producer; Liz Kineke is the producer. The special is produced with the cooperation of The National Council of Churches, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Islamic Society of North American, the Union for Reform Judaism and The New York Board of Rabbis.

*   *   *

Press Contact:              Jeremy Murphy            212/975-4577              jeremy.murphy@cbs.com