What is the Catholic Church in England and Wales for, exactly? Some might insist existence is enough and no more needs to be said. When the Catholic Church taught extra ecclesiam nulla salus without qualification, that was clearly an imperative. But the Catechism now states: “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience – those too may achieve eternal salvation” (quoting Lumen Gentium, 16). Paradise is open to all people of sincere goodwill. So why be Catholic? It is not a question that has yet been fully answered.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has released a new resource, Ten Commandments of Climate-Responsible Banking, calling on individuals, churches, and faith-based organizations to align their financial choices with climate justice and the wellbeing of future generations.

The guide stresses that money entrusted to banks is often invested in industries driving the climate crisis and urges believers to use their economic influence to support a transition away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable alternatives.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Strengthening relations among different Christian churches in Italy, while promoting authentic Christian values within an increasingly secular society. Those were the twin goals of a recent symposium, during which representatives of eighteen churches and Christian communities signed an ecumenical pact pledging to pursue dialogue, joint witness and closer cooperation for the common good.

As dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy, Rev. Carsten Gerdes took part in the two-day symposium, held in the southern port city of Bari. The gathering included the signing of a bold new agreement between Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, Pentecostal and Free churches present around the Italian peninsula.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

To mark the 1 to 7 February World Interfaith Harmony Week, LWF’s director for Theology, Mission and Justice reflects on the need to stand united against division and hatred, tending the flame of hope together.

When the United Nations launched the World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010, the vision was for a week globally dedicated to highlighting common values across faith traditions, including all people of goodwill — love of God, love of the good, and love of neighbour. Sixteen years later, as we observe this week again, the onslaught of the unending bad news reminds me how the world has shifted dramatically. The challenge before us is no longer simply about dialogue and understanding. It’s about solidarity and cooperation for the common good in the face of rising religious nationalism globally.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

With prayer, song, reflection, and the symbolic sharing of the Light of Christ, Christians from many traditions gathered for the closing of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 25 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Saskatoon.

Mary Nordick, chair of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, welcomed those gathered for the Sunday afternoon worship service, reflecting on the “blessed week” of prayer, events, and reflection from Jan. 18-25.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Sarah Mullally was confirmed archbishop of Canterbury Jan. 28 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. She became the first woman to hold the office in its 1,400-year history.

“It is an extraordinary and humbling privilege to have been called to be the 106th archbishop of Canterbury. In this country and around the world, Anglican churches bring healing and hope to their communities,” Mullally said ahead of her confirmation. “With God’s help, I will seek to guide Christ’s flock with calmness, consistency and compassion.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The World Council of Churches (WCC) convened an online meeting of church leaders from Greenland, Denmark, the wider Nordic region, and North America on 23 January.

The meeting followed the WCC general secretary’s statement on 15 January emphasizing that the people of Greenland have an inalienable right to self-determination and are on a clear pathway to independence, that their rights and views must be seriously considered and respected, and that the US Government’s stated determination to own and control Greenland is in diametric opposition to the wishes of the people of Greenland and to their political trajectory towards independence, and is tantamount to neocolonialism.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Two talks in Saskatchewan during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will explore, first, how martyrdom has, time and again, served as a resource for ecumenism, and then how the history of Christians killing Christians can be reckoned with to engender reconciliation and greater unity in the future.

Dr. Jeremy Bergen is the keynote lecturer for the 2026 De Margerie Series on Christian Reconciliation and Unity, with 7 p.m. local time presentations on Jan. 21 at Regina’s Campion College, and Jan. 22 at Saskatoon’s St. Thomas More College.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The Common Declaration of Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966, together with the Malta Report (1968), set the agenda for the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, of which I was a member for many years. This agenda was nothing less than the restoration of full communion in faith and sacramental life between the two traditions. Since then, ARCIC has produced a succession of agreements on Eucharist, Ministry, Authority, Salvation, Moral Teaching, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, matters which were seen as Church-dividing. In the year 2000, in spite of some new obstacles, Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury and Cardinal Cassidy of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity were able to call a meeting of bishops to consider how to take forward, in practical terms, the remarkable agreements already reached by ARCIC. Thus was formed the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission, of which I was also a member.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Atlantic School of Theology (AST) will establish a pioneering ecumenical shared ministries training program after receiving a US$2.5-million grant from the Lilly Endowment foundation.

Designed for students preparing for ordained or lay professional ministry, as well as continuing education for existing clergy and lay ministers, the program will be the first formal training program of its kind, AST president the Rev. Heather McCance says. Ecumenical shared ministries refer to Christians from different denominations worshipping together or sharing a program, mission, ministry, clergy, staff and/or building.
… Read more » … lire la suite »