Two Dutch Faiths in Baptism Pact

The Roman Catholic Church of the Netherlands and the Dutch Reformed Church, oldest of the Dutch Protestant churches, with roots in the Reformation of the 16th century, announced today that they had agreed to recognize each other’s baptism.

This latest step toward church unity in the Netherlands was announced by Bernard Cardinal Alfrink, leader of the Dutch Roman Catholic hierarchy, and the Rev. Dr. Gerit de Ru, president of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, at a news conference here.
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Posted: July 21, 1967 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6482
Categories: News • In this article: baptism, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Reformed churches Transmis : 21 juil. 1967 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6482
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : baptism, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Reformed churches

Small attempt at Christian unity falters

by Robert O’Connor, Chicago Tribune Last December, Rev. David Armstrong, minister of the First Limavady Presbyterian Church, performed what in most parts of the world would have been a little noted act of courtesy: He exchanged Christmas greetings with a neighbor, the pastor of the local Roman Catholic church. Last week he left town. He
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Posted: May 6, 1985 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6367
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, Ireland, Presbyterian Transmis : 6 mai 1985 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6367
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, Ireland, Presbyterian

‘Unprecedented’ Letter From Pope Hails Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue

In a letter described by religious leaders as “unprecedented,” Pope John Paul II told the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church in America that Christian unity “continues as a priority in the Catholic Church today” and praised the agreements by joint Lutheran-Catholic theological commissions over the last two decades. The Pope’s letter came in response to a letter from Bishop James R. Crumley Jr. of New York, who wrote the pontiff May 22 asking him to encourage U.S. Roman Catholics to study the last report issued by the joint commission, a 21,000-word study on “justification by faith,” a key doctrine of the Protestant Reformation.
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Posted: Sept. 28, 1985 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6434
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, John Paul II, Lutheran Transmis : 28 sept. 1985 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6434
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, John Paul II, Lutheran

Vatican urges new ecumenical effort

by Bruce Buursma, Chicago Tribune The Vatican’s chief ecumenical officer called Monday for a new effort to draw Roman Catholicism and the World Council of Churches into a closer relationship, challenging a widening perception that the church’s commitment to cooperative Christian efforts is flagging. Johannes Cardinal Willebrands, the Dutch-born president of the Vatican’s Secretariat for
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Posted: Dec. 3, 1985 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6431
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican Transmis : 3 déc. 1985 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6431
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican

Catholic apology to Jews would be premature: cardinal

by Paul Waters, Montreal Gazette VATICAN CITY – It would be premature for Catholic bishops to apologize for the persecution of Jews through the centuries, according to Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, president of the Secretariat for Christian Unity. A petition circulated among Roman parishes in the last few weeks asks the 165 bishops from around the
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Posted: Dec. 3, 1985 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6423
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Catholic, synods, Vatican Transmis : 3 déc. 1985 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6423
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, synods, Vatican

Pope interrupts synod to conduct ecumenical service for clergy

VATICAN CITY – In a major gesture of Christian unity, Pope John Paul and Roman Catholic bishops recessed an international assembly Thursday to conduct an ecumenical service with 10 Protestant and Orthodox clergymen. The 10 men have been following the bishops’ two-week meeting, called an extraordinary synod, as observers. He embraced Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis of
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Posted: Dec. 6, 1985 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6395
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Vatican Transmis : 6 déc. 1985 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6395
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Vatican

Rome may recognize Anglican priests

A top Vatican official has told members of a joint Anglican-Roman Catholic commission that his church could recognize the validity of Anglican priesthood if the Anglican Church officially adopts statements agreed to by an earlier joint commission on priesthood and the Eucharist. Cardinal Johannes Willebrands of the Vatican Secretariat for Christian Unity raised the possibility in a letter to the commission, representatives of the panel told a news conference in London. The new Vatican approach could be a major development in ending the 450-year-old rift between Rome and Canterbury. Bishop Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Bishop Mark Santer, the Catholic and Anglican chairmen of the commission, said they hoped shared communion would result from the changes as soon as the end of the century.
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Posted: Mar. 15, 1986 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6441
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, church union, dialogue, ordination Transmis : 15 mars 1986 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6441
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, church union, dialogue, ordination

Pope’s unity message comes with warning

Pope John Paul II expressed strong support Monday for Christian unity but warned that Catholics had important disagreements with other churches that could not be compromised.

At an ecumenical service in a Christchurch Catholic cathedral, on the last day of his visit to New Zealand, the Pope said that despite progress toward unity there were still real and serious divisions in the Christian community.

The pontiff, winding up the fourth stage of a six-nation tour, said Catholic commitment to ecumenism was irreversible.

“At the same time I am aware that the Catholic participation makes new demands of the other churches and ecclesiastical communities taking part in the ecumenical movement,” he said.

“We are convinced that the goal is not simply partnership. It is nothing less than the fullness of communion in a visible organic unity. The ecumenical way cannot be one of reduction.”
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Posted: Nov. 24, 1986 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6415
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, John Paul II Transmis : 24 nov. 1986 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6415
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, John Paul II

Papal visit to renew plans for ecumenism

by Russell Chandler, Los Angeles Times With the announcement that Protestant and Eastern Orthodox participants will join in an ecumenical meeting with Pope John Paul in Columbia, S.C., in September, the U.S. National Council of Churches has urged Christians “seize the moment” for renewed efforts toward Christian unity. A three-page statement welcoming the Pope on
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Posted: Aug. 1, 1987 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6419
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, John Paul II, National Council of Churches of Christ (USA) Transmis : 1 aoüt 1987 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6419
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, John Paul II, National Council of Churches of Christ (USA)

Anglicans and Catholics have taken first steps on road to reunion

The Catholic and Anglican churches have been conducting joint studies of doctrine for the past 17 years. The purpose is to explore the essential teachings of each church to see if there is enough common ground for an eventual reunion. Both churches were once united in one western Christian church for 15 centuries. Their history of separation dates back four centuries to the time of the Reformation. The joint studies began in 1970 and involved nine Roman Catholic scholars and nine from the Anglican communion. The joint panel was called the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, or the ARCIC. After 11 years of study, it published papers on three major topics of mutual and central concern; Eucharist, Ministry and Ordination as well as on Authority in the Church.
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Posted: Sept. 19, 1987 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6438
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism Transmis : 19 sept. 1987 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6438
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism

Montrealer represents Catholics at Anglican bishops’ meeting

Rev. Thomas Ryan, director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism in Montreal, has been appointed a Roman Catholic staff representative to a world meeting of Anglican bishops that begins today.

Two Vatican agencies have named the U.S.-born Paulist priest as a representative to the communications team of the Lambeth Conference. The conference is a gathering of the bishops of the 450 dioceses in Anglican churches around the world, including Bishop Reginald Hollis of Montreal.

Representatives have also been appointed by the world Lutheran church and by the World Council of Churches, a grouping mainly of Protestant and Orthodox Churches.

Ryan said in a conversation that it is the first time such staff representatives from other churches have been invited to help out at the Lambeth Conference, which meets every 10 years.

“It is an impressive initiative.”
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Posted: July 16, 1988 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6426
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, Centre Canadien d’œcuménisme, Lambeth Conference, Tom Ryan Transmis : 16 juil. 1988 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6426
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, Centre Canadien d’œcuménisme, Lambeth Conference, Tom Ryan

Pope Decries Anglican Women Bishops

[Los Angeles Times] Pope John Paul II reiterated this week that the ordination of women in the Anglican Church poses “serious obstacles” to relations with the Roman Catholic Church. In a year-end address to cardinals, the Pope, speaking with “sincere pain,” deplored a resolution adopted by the world’s Anglican bishops in August. The Anglican bishops
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Posted: Dec. 24, 1988 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6410
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, Catholic, John Paul II, ordination, women Transmis : 24 déc. 1988 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6410
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, Catholic, John Paul II, ordination, women

Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

The Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church met at the Spirituality Center of the Syro-Malabar Church at Kottayam (Kerala, South India) December 5-8, 1994. All Commission members were present.

1. The principal subject was the study on the role of the Episcopate in guaranteeing the Unity of the Church. After taking up again the text on “Synodal Structure and Practice” (P.M.O. John) two other documents were presented: “Koinonia in the Church” (Mar Severios) and “Ecclesial Communion: A biblical-theological perspective” (P.M. Vellanickal). The sub-commission has begun to draft a first synthesis on “the Church as Communion (Koinonia)” which has been discussed by the assembly.

These progressive studies, which have not led immediately to concrete decisions, have engaged the commission in a process of successive approaches to the mystery of the Church and more precisely of its sacramental structure which is common to the two Churches. These approaches also permit us to perceive the links between this structure and the exercise of authority in the Church. It has therefore asked a sub-commission to explore more deeply the notions of authority (exousia) and of service (diakonia in the Church understood as communion (koinonia).
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Posted: Dec. 8, 1994 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8540
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, India, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Transmis : 8 déc. 1994 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8540
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, India, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church

The Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church met at the Spirituality Center of the Syro-Malabar Church at Kottayam (Kerala, South India) December 9, 1994. All Commission members were present.

1. In the course of this fourth meeting, the Commission spent the greater part of its time on the issue of the reception, in each Church, of the agreement on mixed marriages published January 25, 1994. On each side it has been welcomed in a very positive way. The faithful have experienced the new attitudes as a liberation because they respect and enlarge the freedom of choice of these minorities in regard to marriage and family life. If some difficulties have arisen on certain points, it has been because of of the lack of awareness among the clergy more of the Agreement itself than of the Pastoral Directives which accompanied it. It seems indispensable to foresee in each diocese a small committee or a diocesan delegate with the responsibility to resolve the more urgent problems.
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Posted: Dec. 9, 1994 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8546
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church Transmis : 9 déc. 1994 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8546
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church

The new Catechism and Christian unity

by Richard John Neuhaus, Theology Today 53.2 (Jul 1996): 171. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the authoritative reference or baseline for understanding Catholic faith, sacramental practice, moral doctrine, and prayer. As the title suggests, the chief purpose is catechetical, to provide a doctrinal framework from which the Church in various parts of the
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Posted: July 1, 1996 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6340
Categories: Opinion • In this article: catechism, Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism Transmis : 1 juil. 1996 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6340
Catégorie : Opinion • Dans cet article : catechism, Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism

Liberating Mary

In the furore surrounding the ex-communication of Fr Tissa Balasuriya, very little has been said about the overall project of his book, Mary and Human Liberation. Beyond specific theological questions, Fr Balasuriya’s treatment of Mary touches on issues which go to the heart of the conflict between traditionalists and reformists which is dividing the Catholic Church today.

As in so many of Christianity’s decisive theological moments, the role of Mary is pivotal. The saying, “As Mary goes, so goes the Church,” is as true today as it was of the fifth century when the Council of Ephesus affirmed Christ’s divinity by declaring Mary Theotokos, or Godbearer.
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Posted: Mar. 8, 1997 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6554
Categories: Opinion, The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, feminist, liberation, Mary, theology Transmis : 8 mars 1997 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6554
Catégorie : Opinion, The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, feminist, liberation, Mary, theology

Storm clouds in the East

Rome — and Poland — are buzzing with rumour, counter-rumour and denial: will Pope John Paul and Patriarch Alexis of the Russian Orthodox Church meet in Vienna on 21 June or won’t they? Perhaps by the time this article is published there will have been an announcement that puts paid to the rumours, but even an eventual negative provides a timely stimulus to consider relations between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

One argument against the likelihood of a meeting between the Pope and the Russian Patriarch is obvious: there has been no preparation. The Patriarch will be in Vienna on his way to the European Ecumenical Assembly in Graz and the Pope wants to meet him. The Pope has spoken prophetically about his desire to see the reunion of East and West, to reverse the basic division in Christendom of nearly a millennium, before the year 2000. Yet his health and the ticking of the clock make this an unattainable goal, at least in human terms.
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Posted: June 14, 1997 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6590
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, ecumenism, John Paul II, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox Transmis : 14 juin 1997 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6590
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, ecumenism, John Paul II, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox

Communiqué: Evangelical-Catholic consultation 1997

In 1993 there was a first meeting in Venice (Italy) for conversations between Evangelical and Roman Catholic representatives, co-sponsored by the World Evangelical Fellowship and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The themes were Justification, Scripture and Tradition. As a follow up to it, a second meeting for conversations was held in the Ecumenical Institute of Tantur (Jerusalem), October 12-19, 1997. Participants represented different regions of the world and a variety of Christian ministries.

The main themes for these conversations — agreed upon during the Venice meeting — were issues related to the nature and mission of the Church. Representatives of each tradition presented a paper on each theme. The discussion that followed evidenced a spirit of mutual acceptance and disposition to listen to one another and pray together.

From the discussions, some points of agreement emerged, as well as areas that demand more reflection and theological work. It was felt that it is still too early to present an elaborate document. We therefore limit ourselves to list the main points on which we have come to a common understanding as well as the points that we would suggest as an agenda for the future conversations between the World Evangelical Fellowship and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, if both partners agree to do so.
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Posted: Oct. 19, 1997 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2192
Categories: Communiqué, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, World Evangelical Alliance Transmis : 19 oct. 1997 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2192
Catégorie : Communiqué, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, World Evangelical Alliance

Women priests: the unfinished story

For many Anglicans, the eleventh day of the eleventh month stirs memories of present as well as past conflicts: last Tuesday was the fifth anniversary of the General Synod’s vote in favour of women priests. By common consent the decision presaged the biggest upheaval in the Church of England since the Reformation, prompting 300 clergymen to resign their orders in protest at what they saw as a fracturing of the apostolic ministry. But in ordaining its women deacons in 1994 the Church gained nearly seven times as many new priests as it lost, and the new recruits are now serving at all levels of the hierarchy up to the rank of archdeacon. There appears to be ready agreement among most church people that the ordained ministry has been refreshed by “more open and collaborative styles of leadership”, and that women priests are accepted with enthusiasm by an evergrowing majority of congregations in consequence. “It’s an incarnational thing”, said one erstwhile sceptic. “When you see someone doing the job effectively, you’re quickly won over.”
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Posted: Nov. 15, 1997 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6595
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, ordination, women Transmis : 15 nov. 1997 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6595
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, ordination, women

The wound that will not heal

When Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople made a month-long tour of 16 cities in the United States in October and November, he was feted with honours at Washington’s Jesuit-run Georgetown University and greeted with splendour in Baltimore’s Catholic cathedral. As so often in inter-Church relations, however, the conciliatory declarations belied bitter realities.

Ironically, the sharp downturn in Catholic-Orthodox relations during the past six months came into the open after one of the Pope’s most impassioned appeals for Christian unity. The occasion John Paul II picked was a Eucharistic Congress held in May at Wroclaw in Poland. “In this our second millennium, when the unity of Christ’s disciples has suffered tragic divisions between East and West, prayer for the rediscovery of full unity is a special obligation”, the Pope said. “Can we bear joint and effective witness to Christ if we are not reconciled with one another? Can we be reconciled with one another without forgiving one another?”
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Posted: Dec. 6, 1997 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6598
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Orthodox Transmis : 6 déc. 1997 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6598
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Orthodox

No new dogmas please

As a child, a friend of mine used to be told by his nanny: Before you say anything, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? The same three questions may well be asked about the current proposal to define Mary as Co-Redeemer.

Is it true? The answer to that question depends on the way in which we interpret the title Co-Redeemer, along with the related titles Mediator of All Graces and Advocate of the People of God. As a member of the Orthodox Church I have no objection to these three titles in themselves — provided that they are rightly understood.

Indeed, closely similar language occurs in the prayers and hymns used in the Christian East. With the greatest frequency in Orthodox worship we say to the Virgin Mary, Most Holy Mother of God, save us. In our invocations to other members of the Communion of Saints, including St John the Baptist, except on very rare occasions we never say more than … pray for us.
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Posted: Jan. 17, 1998 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6670
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, doctrine, ecumenism, Mary, Orthodox Transmis : 17 janv. 1998 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6670
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, doctrine, ecumenism, Mary, Orthodox

Mennonites and Catholics sit down to talk

For five days in October, seven Mennonites sat face-to-face with six Roman Catholics to discuss reasons for the centuries-long separation between the two churches. The meeting here on October 14-18 was held to promote better understanding of each others’ faith and to overcome long-standing prejudices.

This international consultation was sponsored by the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican City). Helmut Harder (Canada) and Joseph Martino (United States) chaired the meeting.
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Posted: Dec. 7, 1998 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6476
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Mennonite, Mennonite World Conference Transmis : 7 déc. 1998 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6476
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Mennonite, Mennonite World Conference

ARCIC II issues statement on authority

[ACNS 1843] At a press briefing in Westminster Abbey, London, today, the co-chairmen of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), the Rt Revd Mark Santer (Anglican) and the Rt Revd Cormac Murphy-O’Connor (Roman Catholic), launched the document “The Gift of Authority”, the latest in study documents issued by 18 members of the Commission. This
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Posted: Jan. 12, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=3
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, dialogue Transmis : 12 janv. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=3
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, dialogue

True and false Madonnas

In 1954, four years after the solemn definition of the doctrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, Pope Pius XII declared a Marian Year. With greater or lesser enthusiasm, Catholic Europe responded, and in my home town, on the east coast of Ireland, the response took spectacular form. The women were invited to donate jewellery, the men money, towards the creation of a solid-gold crown for the statue of the Blessed Virgin in our parish church. It was a poor community, yet the response to the appeal for the Virgin’s crown was remarkable, many of the women even donating their wedding rings. The statue, an insipid, life-sized plaster replica of Our Lady of Lourdes, white-robed, blue-sashed, smallbusted, neither a recognisably maternal nor even a very convincingly human image, was duly decorated with a crown which would have paid several times over for any one of the houses in which most of the donors lived.
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Posted: Feb. 6, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6691
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, doctrine, Mary Transmis : 6 févr. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6691
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, doctrine, Mary

Keeping Company: Evangelicals and Catholics Walk and Talk Together

Protestants and Catholics are working together more and more these days in Canada. Each believes it is the best expression of Christian faith, and each has often condemned the other’s teachings. Now some are trying to move beyond these criticisms and to forge limited new forms of cooperation, according to a series of articles in the May/June issue of Faith Today.

Gary Walsh, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), visited the offices of the Catholic Bishops in Ottawa and found himself “thanking the Lord for the things we share in common.” Despite doctrinal differences between the two organizations, EFC is having regular contact and working closely with Catholics on public policy issues such as abortion, family life and euthanasia, according to the lead article by Harold Jantz, a consultant and project manager of church-related projects in Winnipeg.

Sr. Donna Geernaert, who speaks for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in Ottawa, observes that not only have Catholics and the EFC joined with one another for presentations to government, they’ve also coordinated their efforts so they could prepare complementary briefs.

George Vandervelde of Toronto, convener of the World Evangelical Fellowship’s task force on ecumenical issues, believes that dialogue between evangelicals and Catholics is important “simply to understand one another and clarify how we are different and how we are similar.” He says we shouldn’t be bearing false witness against each other. “If in evangelicalism we say this or that against Roman Catholicism, we should know that we are speaking truth, and you can find that out only by speaking to one another.”
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Posted: May 1, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals Transmis : 1 mai 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals

Bishops between a rock and a hard place

Catholics are permitted to support attempts to limit the evil aspects of an abortion law, says Pope John Paul in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae. In Germany, however, the moral complexities have made the Church draw back, which threatens to reduce its influence in society. A journalist on the weekly Rheinischer Merkur highlights the German bishops’ dilemma.
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Posted: Aug. 21, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6689
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: abortion, Catholic, ethics, social policy, theology Transmis : 21 aoüt 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6689
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : abortion, Catholic, ethics, social policy, theology

Irish Presbyterians Say Ecumenism Doesn’t Extend to Catholics

An effort to make an existing Protestant-Roman Catholic committee the top ecumenical body for Ireland has been stymied by a vote of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).

The plan, which had been approved by the three other major denominations in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland – the Anglicans, the Methodists and the Roman Catholics – went down by a 224-144 vote during the Belfast General Assembly in June. Its opponents say it was defeated by the fact that an institutional identification with the Roman Catholic Church would imply approval of its doctrine.

And that is, in a word, apostasy.

If this all sounds like theological separatism, it is. But this is Northern Ireland, where politics and religion stay unintelligibly and painfully entangled – no matter how much distance Catholics and Protestants put between themselves, and no matter how many centuries go by.

The political stalemate isn’t so dissimilar.

Ulster’s major unionist (and largely Protestant) party is refusing to form a four-party administration to govern Northern Ireland – including Sinn Fein, the radical republican party – because the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) has refused to disarm, and because of apparent breaches of the outlawed group’s 1997 cease-fire.
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Posted: Sept. 15, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4874
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, PCUSA News • In this article: Catholic, Ireland, Presbyterian, religious hatred Transmis : 15 sept. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4874
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, PCUSA News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Ireland, Presbyterian, religious hatred

Brief biographies of those signing the Joint Declaration

The Rev. H. George Anderson, 67, was appointed a Vice-President of the Lutheran Federation (LWF) in 1997. He has been the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1995. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Yale, Anderson earned graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia,
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Posted: Oct. 23, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4977
Categories: Lutheran World Information • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, JDDJ, Lutheran Transmis : 23 oct. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4977
Catégorie : Lutheran World Information • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, JDDJ, Lutheran

ACO: Signing of Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

Dear Cardinal Cassidy and Dr Noko,

The signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine Of Justification between the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church is an event which encourages Christians of all traditions and is a cause of rejoicing for all who pray and work for the unity of Christ’s Church.

The significance of this agreement cannot be underestimated, dealing as it does with a question right at the heart of Christian faith and theology, the question of how we are saved. As we all are aware, this was a primary point of conflict during the Reformation period, which led not only to bitter theological disputes but even wars and Persecutions and created divisions that were exported beyond the shores of Europe through the missionary expansion of the Church.
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Posted: Oct. 25, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6
Categories: ACNS, News • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran Transmis : 25 oct. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6
Catégorie : ACNS, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran

WCC welcomes signing of the Joint Declaration on Justification

The World Council of Churches (WCC) warmly welcomes the forthcoming signing of the Joint Declaration on the doctrine of justification by the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church. The signing will take place on 31 October, in Augsburg, Germany. According to the Rev. Dr Dagmar Heller, WCC Faith and Order, bilateral relations and
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Posted: Oct. 28, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran Transmis : 28 oct. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran

History in our own time: The Joint Declaration on Justification

“How are we saved?” This was the central question of the Protestant Reformation. Or, as Martin Luther phrased it: “How are we, as sinners, found righteous in the sight of a just God?” This is a question that has challenged Christians throughout our history, and has challenged our Hebrew brothers and sisters for even longer. The fact that we believe we will be saved is evident in our decision to come here today, for we all believe that God has offered us salvation. But why are we saved? Because we come here? Because we do our homework, say our prayers and try not to pick on our little brother?
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Posted: Oct. 31, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6258
Categories: Opinion • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran World Federation, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Transmis : 31 oct. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6258
Catégorie : Opinion • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, JDDJ, Lutheran World Federation, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

Communiqué: Evangelical-Catholic consultation 1999

1. A theological consultation between Evangelicals and Catholics took place from 7-13 November 1999. Jointly sponsored by the World Evangelical Fellowship’s Theological Commission and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the meeting took place at the George Williams Campus of Aurora University, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, USA. It followed on from two previous consultations between WEF and Catholic Church representatives, held in 1993 in Venice, Italy and in 1997 at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute near Jerusalem. [Note: The World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) changed its name to World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) in 2000.]

2. The Williams Bay meeting sought to deepen mutual understanding and respect between Evangelicals and Catholics, using the occasion to hear how each understood one another’s traditions, convictions and concerns. More particularly its aim was to face misunderstandings that put stumbling blocks in the way of the Good News being proclaimed and heard.

Four papers were prepared for the consultation. On the theme of koinonia (fellowship or communion) two papers were discussed: “An Evangelical Perspective on Church Koinonia” by Henri Blocher and “The Church as Communion: A Catholic Perspective,” by Avery Dulles. Later discussion of evangelization and common witness and their difficulties began on the basis of a paper by M. Daniel Carroll R., “The Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue: Issues Revolving around Evangelization. A View from Latin America” and one by Thomas Stransky, “Religious Freedom, Christian Witness and Proselytism.”
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Posted: Nov. 13, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2193
Categories: Communiqué, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, World Evangelical Alliance Transmis : 13 nov. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2193
Catégorie : Communiqué, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, World Evangelical Alliance

The priesthood of Mary

With our short ecclesiastical memories, we have almost forgotten that in the run-up to its dogmatic definition in 1854, Mary’s Immaculate Conception was often justified on the grounds of her being a priest. Tradition frequently applied the words found in Hebrews 7:26 to her: “It is fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” The Benedictine prior Jacques Biroat wrote in 1666 that “Paul’s reasoning” in Hebrews 7:26 “is relevant to Christ’s mother. She shares in the priesthood of her son and is the origin of our reconciliation to God. Therefore, she had to be entirely innocent and separate from sinners. She had to be preserved from original sin.” Mary was immaculately conceived because she had to be a priest without stain. Mary has captured the Catholic imagination more than any other person except Jesus. Generation after generation has seen in her the highest reflection of saintliness and love. Catholics have been fond of Mary because she is Jesus’ own mother. They also respected her as his closest associate in redemption, as his first “priest”.
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Posted: Dec. 4, 1999 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6697
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, Mary, ordination, women Transmis : 4 déc. 1999 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6697
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, Mary, ordination, women

Joint Declaration as a groundbreaking ecumenical document

U.S. theology professors discuss its implications by Udo Hahn, Lutheran World Federation [HANOVER, Germany/GENEVA | LWI] Reformed, Anglican, Roman-Catholic and Lutheran church leaders and professors of theology in the United States have acknowledged the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification as a “groundbreaking document”. The theological implications of Joint Declaration was one of the
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Posted: Feb. 22, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4967
Categories: Lutheran World Information • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, JDDJ, Lutheran Transmis : 22 févr. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4967
Catégorie : Lutheran World Information • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, JDDJ, Lutheran

Good neighbours: now they’ve put it in writing

Good neighbours: McClure United and Holy Spirit congregations have always been close; now they’ve put it in writing If Covenant 2000 were a play, Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church and McClure United Church would be well into the second act. The two churches recently signed a formal ecumenical covenant, committing themselves to breaking down barriers
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Posted: Feb. 26, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6037
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada Transmis : 26 févr. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6037
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada

Churches sign covenant agreement

It was more than 30 years in the making but on Sunday, parishioners from Holy Spirit Roman Catholic and McClure United parishes stood side by side.

Old and young sang beautifully together. They taught their children together, hugged, prayed and worshipped as brothers and sisters in Christ at Holy Spirit Parish. Afterward, they walked together through the streets of Saskatoon to break bread together at a community lunch at McClure United.

This was done to mark the signing of a new covenant between the parishes which has been discussed since 1966 and which both pastors hope will mark the beginning of an even better relationship.

“I believe this to be the will and the work of the Holy Spirit that has brought us to this moment. It is not merely our efforts or our decisions,” said McClure’s Rev. Ron McConnell.

Holy Spirit pastor, Rev. Bernard de Margerie, agreed. He said the covenant means that the two congregations pledge to grow together to “help create a more stable relationship that is more worthy of life within the Body of Christ.”

In his portion of the joint sermon, McConnell compared the covenant relationship to a marriage.

“The questions people most often ask about the covenant include: ‘Does this mean you’re exactly the same now? Do you now see everything the same way? There are no more differences?” The answer is — are you kidding? Does that sound like any marriage you have ever known?’ ” he said.
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Posted: Mar. 8, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada Transmis : 8 mars 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada

Friendship draws two churches closer together

It was a Valentine in the form of a covenant signed by a Roman Catholic bishop, a United Church Presbytery chair, two local pastors and members of their congregations on the eve of Feb. 14.

The covenant was the formalization of a long friendship between McClure United Church and Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Parish. The covenant was written, according to the document itself “in response to the call of Jesus, “that they may all be one and that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21-23).

“You must have been listening to the Spirit,” said Sister Anne Keffer, director of Saskatoon’s Centre for Ecumenism, where the official document signing took place.

“On behalf of the whole church, I thank you. I thank God.”

In total, some 40 members from the two congregations were present for the signing ceremony which involved joint prayer and reflections on healing and reconciliation.

Rev. Bernard de Margerie of Holy Spirit Parish, a past director of the Centre for Ecumenism, said the stages of the relationship between the churches were like any other. It first involved a courtship, which built into a relationship. The covenant itself was a gesture of solidarity, followed by the joint celebration of the formal covenant on Sunday. The last step will be ongoing faithfulness.
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Posted: Mar. 8, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada Transmis : 8 mars 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, covenant, ecumenism, Saskatoon, United Church of Canada

Historic Consultation of Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops Set for Canada in May

Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops from thirteen regions around the world are to gather in Canada May 14-20 to review and evaluate the accomplishment of thirty years of ecumenical dialogue between the two traditions and to reflect on how the special relationship between them has been developing in different parts of the world.

This high level meeting is happening at a time when Anglicans and Roman Catholics around the world are exploring the possibilities for further steps toward visible unity.
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Posted: Apr. 14, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10374
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, IARCCUM Transmis : 14 avril 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10374
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, IARCCUM

International Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation underway in Mississauga

Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops, paired from thirteen regions around the world, have begun their meeting in Canada in which they are reviewing and evaluating the accomplishment of thirty years of ecumenical relationship between Anglicans and Catholics in their areas. The pairs of bishops come from New Zealand, Canada, England, United States, Ireland, India, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Southern Africa, Uganda, Australia, Brazil and the West Indies.

The bishops are gathered in private session at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre near Toronto, Ontario, under the joint chairmanship of Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Their first day has begun with a morning of prayer and scriptural reflection. The following days will begin and end with common prayer.
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Posted: May 17, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10378
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM Transmis : 17 mai 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10378
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM

Archbishop of Canterbury’s Sermon at Ecumenical Vespers

Together with Cardinal Cassidy and our colleagues at our ecumenical forum, I want to say how pleased we are to be here this evening and to share in this act of worship. As you will be aware, for the first time, Anglican and Roman Catholic Leaders from around the world are meeting together in order to discuss the problems and challenges that lie before us on the road to the full visible unity of our two Churches. Of course, our two Churches have travelled a long way together during the last forty or so years and we have much in common. This evening gives us an opportunity to celebrate that fact.

Nevertheless we know that some Protestant Christians object to this theological dialogue. They fear that Reformation principles are being abandoned and gospel faith is being traduced. I reply that the journey the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion have taken since the Second Vatican Council has not been a journey away from the Christian faith but a pilgrimage together into its heart. Polemics lead to hatred and division. Partnership leads to the promise of mutual service and eventual union.
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Posted: May 17, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10376
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, George Carey, IARCCUM Transmis : 17 mai 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10376
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, George Carey, IARCCUM

Joint Declaration Affects U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue

The “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification,” signed by representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Vatican on Oct. 31, 1999, in Augsburg, Germany, did more than declare that certain 16th century condemnations between Lutherans and Catholics no longer apply. The formula used to reach that conclusion will influence talks between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
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Posted: May 19, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=11
Categories: ELCA News • In this article: Catholic, Lutheran Transmis : 19 mai 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=11
Catégorie : ELCA News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Lutheran

Disciples / Roman Catholic dialogue explores evangelization

“Evangelization” was the major focus of a May 18-24 meeting of the 16-member Disciples of Christ-Roman Catholic International Dialogue Commission which gathered at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Posted: May 30, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=13
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Disciples of Christ, ecumenism, evangelism/evangelization Transmis : 30 mai 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=13
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Disciples of Christ, ecumenism, evangelism/evangelization

Anglicans and Roman Catholics Pray for Unity

The Pope, His Holiness John Paul II sent a message of greeting to the historic May 2000 gathering of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in Mississauga, Toronto, Canada. On the eve of his 80th birthday, the Pope expressed his hope that the meeting would “bear lasting fruit” and hasten unity of the two churches.

“For more than 30 years the Anglican and the Catholic Church have been on a journey towards the restoration of unity,” said the Pope in a statement read by Cardinal Edward Cassidy to 2,000 worshippers in St Michael’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Toronto. “In some places there have been very positive developments … in other places we are not so far along the road [and] new and serious obstacles have slowed our progress. I pray that the spiritual bonds that have always lifted Catholics and Anglicans will be strengthened and deepened even further.”
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Posted: May 30, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10380
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM Transmis : 30 mai 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10380
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM

Orthodox-Catholic relations at an impasse after Baltimore talks

‘Bitter differences’ lead to dead-end, Polish ecumenist says by Jonathan Luxmoore, Ecumenical News International [WARSAW] High-level talks between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches which ended in the United States recently were marred by “methodological deficiencies” and a “polemical atmosphere,” leaving relations between the two Christian communions at a dead-end, according to an expert on
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Posted: Aug. 9, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4962
Categories: ENI • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Orthodox Transmis : 9 aoüt 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4962
Catégorie : ENI • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Orthodox

Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on ‘Dominus Iesus’

Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury concerning the Roman Catholic document ‘Dominus Iesus’ [ACNS 2219 – Lambeth Palace, 5 September 2000] By restating the long-held view of the Roman Catholic Church on the position of other Christian churches, this document breaks no new ground. But neither does it fully reflect the deeper understanding that has
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Posted: Sept. 5, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=17
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, Dominus Iesus, ecumenism, interfaith, salvation Transmis : 5 sept. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=17
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, Dominus Iesus, ecumenism, interfaith, salvation

Rite proposal stirs passion

The United Church has dropped an attempt to substitute gender-neutral language for “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” in the baptism rite — a proposed change that caused concern among the church’s ecumenical partners, including the Anglican Church. About 100 groups and congregations last fall were asked their opinions of various new forms of the rite, said Fred Graham, liturgical officer for the United Church. The church is developing a new worship book, Celebrate God’s Presence. Conservatives, however, did not care for the changes — as Mr. Graham put it, “that sector in our church rose up” against alternate wording. Others felt, he said, that inclusive language was to be encouraged. At the same time, the United Church’s General Council Executive, which rules on matters of doctrine and faith, decided that such a fundamental change would need to be put to a church-wide vote.
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Posted: Sept. 15, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6467
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: baptism, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Trinity, United Church of Canada Transmis : 15 sept. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6467
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : baptism, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Trinity, United Church of Canada

Joint communiqué: Reformed-Roman Catholic international dialogue

The joint commission, appointed by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, held its annual session at Mondo Migliore in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Italy, from September 13 to 19, 2000. This was the third session of the third round of this international bilateral dialogue. The report of the first round, 1970-1977, was entitled The Presence of Christ in Church and World, and that of the second, 1984-1989, Towards a Common Understanding of the Church.
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Posted: Sept. 19, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2249
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic Transmis : 19 sept. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2249
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic

Problem with Dominus Iesus is one of tone, not substance

The declaration entitled Dominus Iesus released on Sept. 5 by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has given rise to a firestorm of mixed reaction. Its context is the relatively new situation of religious pluralism that now marks the western world.

A lively debate has been under way among Christian theologians; it was inevitable that Christians in general, and not just theologians, stop and reflect on what this new awareness of religious diversity means for their own religion.

The Vatican declaration has provided that occasion. At issue in this debate is nothing less than what we as Christian believers should think about other world religions and their adherents, our new neighbours. The question at the bottom of it is an old one: “Who do you say that I am?”
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Posted: Sept. 20, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=18
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Dominus Iesus, ecumenism, interfaith, salvation, Tom Ryan Transmis : 20 sept. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=18
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Dominus Iesus, ecumenism, interfaith, salvation, Tom Ryan

The Pope and the Orthodox

Pope John Paul II has never made it a secret: As the first Slavic pope, as a church leader from eastern Europe, he dreamed of being God’s instrument to bridge the millennium-old schism between East and West.

Over the years, out of sensitivity to the Orthodox patriarch of Moscow, he has declined repeated invitations from the eastern Catholics in Ukraine and from the Ukrainian government to visit them.

The pope is aging quickly and the rhetoric between the Orthodox and Rome is heating up rather than calming down — the Orthodox have moved beyond complaints of proselytizing; they now speak of outright “persecution” of their people by the Latin Church. All this has led the pope to change his mind and visit the millions of Eastern-rite Christians who have paid a martyr’s price for their loyalty to the Chair of Peter.

John Paul recognizes that this is a dangerous move in terms of his long-term dream of reuniting Constantinople/Moscow and Rome. To offset, as much as possible, any ecumenically negative consequences, the Vatican is continually talking about this visit as a reaching out to full brothers and sisters (see page 4).

The Slavic pope has even made a substantial donation ($150,000) toward the building of a new Orthodox cathedral in Bucharest. His generosity, however, is not limited to this sensitive trip to the East. Back in January 1995, the pope helped build the Orthodox cathedral in Ulyanovsk, the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin.

The people of Ulyanovsk, who were sorely strapped for funds, could not have been more gracious in accepting the gift: they named the pope “an honorary member of their communion in Christ.”
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Posted: Nov. 15, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=19
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Orthodox Transmis : 15 nov. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=19
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Orthodox

John Ford offers Catholic View of Ecumenical Future

In an address that emphasized the personal, heart-felt dimensions of the movement for Christian unity, the Rev. John T. Ford, C.S.C., Professor of Theology and Coordinator of Hispanic/Latino Studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., offered the image of a “family reunion” as “a possible model for expanding the relationship of the Roman Catholic Church and the National Council of Churches.”

A renowned Catholic theologian, Ford has, for 20 years, been a member of the NCC’s Faith and Order Commission, a body that focuses on the theological underpinnings of the ecumenical movement. “Faith and Order here in the United States provides a venue where Christians can meet and share their faith: both their commonalities and their differences,” he said. Where else can one participate in a theological conversation that includes Quakers and Orthodox, Pentecostals and mainline Protestants, Evangelicals and Roman Catholics?”

“Faith and Order has been like a family reunion where long-lost cousins finally meet,” he said.
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Posted: Nov. 16, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6525
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, ecumenism, National Council of Churches of Christ (USA) Transmis : 16 nov. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6525
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, ecumenism, National Council of Churches of Christ (USA)

Catholic diocese facing priest shortage

Facing an unprecedented shortage of priests, Roman Catholic officials in Saskatchewan have begun a massive restructuring that will lead to radical changes in the church. Shortages have affected rural areas for several years, but now the church can’t supply a priest to every parish in the city of Saskatoon. “I am very concerned about the diminishing number of priests. It’s challenging our identity (as a church),” said Rev. Ronald Beechinor, the administrator for the Diocese of Saskatoon, who is performing the duties of bishop until a new one is named. “We’ve got to make substantial changes.”

Many of the area’s 95,000 Roman Catholics from more than 100 parishes attended meetings this fall to suggest ways to deal with the loss of as many as 10 priests by next June. The reports from the seven deaneries in the area were discussed last weekend and a final plan should be ready by February.
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Posted: Dec. 17, 2000 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6184
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, clergy, Saskatoon Transmis : 17 déc. 2000 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6184
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, clergy, Saskatoon

New working group to further Anglican-Roman Catholic relations

[ACNS 2357] A new high-level working group has been announced by the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. Comprising prominent Church leaders from a variety of countries, assisted by specialists, the Anglican-Roman Catholic Working Group will have the task of reviewing the relationship between Catholics and Anglicans worldwide, consolidating the results of more than thirty
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Posted: Jan. 25, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=22
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, Catholic Transmis : 25 janv. 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=22
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic

Ice curtain in the East

On 7 January, Russia’s Orthodox Church celebrated the two-thousandth anniversary of the birth of Christ. Thousands attended the Christmas liturgy in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, triumphantly, and, many have averred, tastelessly, restored to the city’s skyline more than 60 years after Stalin ordered its obliteration from it. Live coverage of the event was marred, however, when Patriarch Alexis II arrived more than an hour late, delayed by his participation in the day’s informal meetings between President Putin and the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder.

As the television cameras panned in on the massed faithful awaiting their Patriarch, they picked out the emerald robes of seemingly the most senior cleric in attendance — Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin, head of Russia’s Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims. For the third year running, the chief representative of Russia’s Roman Catholics, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, had not been invited.
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Posted: Jan. 27, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6557
Categories: Opinion, The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, Orthodox, Russian, Ukraine Transmis : 27 janv. 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6557
Catégorie : Opinion, The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, Orthodox, Russian, Ukraine

The Pope steps into a Greek drama

Pope John Paul is to make a brief visit to Athens in May. Many of the Greek Orthodox clergy and the monks of Athos are up in arms. Could this nevertheless turn out to be a breaking of the ice which has lasted since the Western and Eastern Church split in 1054? An Assumptionist priest who was formerly stationed in Athens looks at the tensions.
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Posted: Mar. 24, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6730
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, John Paul II, Orthodox Transmis : 24 mars 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6730
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, John Paul II, Orthodox

Man on a Mission

Man on a Mission: Incoming bishop encourages frank talk on future of Catholicism by Jason Warick, Saskatoon Star Phoenix The man who will take over this fall as Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon isn’t saying where he stands on controversial issues such as birth control or the ordination of women, but he
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Posted: Aug. 2, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6100
Categories: News • In this article: Albert LeGatt, bishops, Catholic, Saskatoon Transmis : 2 aoüt 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6100
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Albert LeGatt, bishops, Catholic, Saskatoon

Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics

We are gathered here today in the spirit of peace for the good of all human beings and for the care of creation. At this moment in history, at the beginning of the third millennium, we are saddened to see the daily suffering of a great number of people from violence, starvation, poverty and disease. We are also concerned about the negative consequences for humanity and for all creation resulting from the degradation of some basic natural resources such as water, air and land, brought about by an economic and technological progress which does not recognize and take into account its limits.
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Posted: June 10, 2002 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=3473
Categories: Documents • In this article: Bartholomew I, Catholic, Christian unity, climate change, dialogue, ecology, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, ecumenism, environment, John Paul II, Orthodox, patriarch, pope, science, statements Transmis : 10 juin 2002 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=3473
Catégorie : Documents • Dans cet article : Bartholomew I, Catholic, Christian unity, climate change, dialogue, ecology, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, ecumenism, environment, John Paul II, Orthodox, patriarch, pope, science, statements

Archbishop Foley: Bridge the digital divide

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2002 (VIS) – Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, is participating in a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations dedicated to Information and Communication Technologies for Development which is taking place in New York from June 17 to 18. In his speech
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Posted: June 18, 2002 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=38
Categories: Vatican News • In this article: Catholic, United Nations, Vatican Transmis : 18 juin 2002 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=38
Catégorie : Vatican News • Dans cet article : Catholic, United Nations, Vatican

Catholic woman finds way to use gift of preaching

What do you do when you’ve been given the gift of preaching and you’re a Catholic woman? Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers faced that dilemma. Ironically, she discovered her gift for preaching at the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) where she enrolled in 1990 with the intention of taking a class or two to better equip her for the
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Posted: Oct. 19, 2002 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6104
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, preaching, women Transmis : 19 oct. 2002 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6104
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, preaching, women

A Vatican reflection on the ‘New Age’

Jesus Christ, Bearer of Living Water: A Christian Reflection on the ‘New Age’, prepared by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2003 (VIS) – Today in the Holy See Press Office there was a conference to present the document “Jesus Christ, Bearer of Living Water.
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Posted: Feb. 3, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=52
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic Transmis : 3 févr. 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=52
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic

Catholic-Jewish statement on human life, family values

VATICAN CITY, MAR 4, 2003 (VIS) – After a preliminary meeting in Jerusalem on June 5, 2002, high ranking delegations of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel met in Grottaferrata near Rome, February 23-27, 2003, according to a joint communiqué made public yesterday afternoon
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Posted: Mar. 4, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=54
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic, Judaism Transmis : 4 mars 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=54
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic, Judaism

Catholics, Anglicans debate awkward communion issue

A photo of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, a devout Anglican, standing before a Roman Catholic archbishop to receive communion has prompted a renewed discussion in the two denominations over the issue of who may take communion in a Catholic church.

After the photo was published in January in the Ottawa Citizen, there was a flurry of letters to the newspaper over the issue. The story was widely covered across the country and the letters and coverage prompted a published response in the newspaper from Archbishop Marcel Gervais, Catholic archbishop of Ottawa.
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Posted: Mar. 15, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6470
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican, Canada, Catholic, eucharist, sacramental sharing Transmis : 15 mars 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6470
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican, Canada, Catholic, eucharist, sacramental sharing

Favor the Force of Law, not the Law of Force

VATICAN CITY, APR 2, 2003 (VIS) – Archbishop Celestino Migliore, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, spoke yesterday at the 2003 Substantive Session of the Disarmament Commission. That speech in English was made public today. Archbishop Migliore noted that “months ago, the Holy See Delegation stated before the
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Posted: Apr. 2, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=61
Categories: Vatican News • In this article: Catholic, peace, United Nations, Vatican Transmis : 2 avril 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=61
Catégorie : Vatican News • Dans cet article : Catholic, peace, United Nations, Vatican

May They All Be One? But how?

I. When Jesus uttered the words ‘may they all be one’, they by no means represented a vision or a dream. Jesus said these words on the eve of his death. This was not the time for triumphal utopias. The Galilean spring, when the enthusiastic crowds overwhelmed him, was over. They no longer cried ‘Hosanna!’ but ‘Crucify him!’. Jesus was well aware of this, and predicted also that his disciples would not be one, and that they would be dispersed. What else could he do in this situation than to leave the future of his work in the hands of his Father? Thus, the words ‘may they all be one’ are a prayer, a prayer in a humanly perceived hopeless situation.
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Posted: May 17, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6663
Categories: Opinion, The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Walter Kasper Transmis : 17 mai 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6663
Catégorie : Opinion, The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Walter Kasper

The Roman Catholic & United Church Dialogue in Canada

In August 1974, the General Council of the United Church of Canada passed a resolution which invited the Roman Catholic Church in Canada to enter into conversations concerning Christian unity. The following month, the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Catholic Conference responded to the invitation in a positive manner. In November 1975 the first dialogue meeting took place, which means that the dialogue has now been meeting for twenty-eight years!
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Posted: Sept. 30, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2267
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, United Church of Canada Transmis : 30 sept. 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2267
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, United Church of Canada

Secret deals and stonewalling

Bernard Daly was a Canadian journalist standing probably 15 feet in front of Pope John XXIII when the pontiff announced on Oct. 13, 1962, that the Second Vatican Council was about to change the modern world for Catholics.

“I had been a journalist for 14 years, writing about public events and commenting on them,” says Daly, “but the assignment to cover Vatican II as the only English-speaking Canadian journalist was a complete surprise and, in reality, such an honour.

“There he was, on a raised platform in the Sistine Chapel, in front of 1,000 journalists, with that beautiful face and jovial attitude, and none of us knew really what to expect. He spoke in French, I could follow well enough, and the texts were supplied in English later. And what he was telling us was that we should tell the truth, the whole truth, about what was going to happen during the council.”
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Posted: Nov. 15, 2003 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6218
Categories: News • In this article: Canada, Catholic, church history, Second Vatican Council Transmis : 15 nov. 2003 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6218
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Canada, Catholic, church history, Second Vatican Council

Still waiting for goodwill

Next week Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, is due to travel to Russia to meet the Patriarch in the highest-level visit by Vatican officials in four years. The aim of the five-day trip (due to start on Monday) is to improve relations between Rome and Moscow, which are at their lowest point since before the Second Vatican Council. Two years ago a visit by the cardinal was cancelled by the Moscow Patriarchate, outraged by what it described as aggressive Catholic missionary activity in its “canonical territory”.
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Posted: Feb. 14, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6709
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, ecumenism, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox, Walter Kasper Transmis : 14 févr. 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6709
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, ecumenism, Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox, Walter Kasper

Instruction: Redemptionis Sacramentum

Just released this morning at the Vatican. This instruction from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament is entitled Redemptionis Sacramentum.
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Posted: Apr. 23, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=104
Categories: Documents • In this article: Catholic, liturgy, Vatican Transmis : 23 avril 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=104
Catégorie : Documents • Dans cet article : Catholic, liturgy, Vatican

Commentary: “Called Together to Be Peacemakers”

This Report could be a wonderfully helpful instrument for Mennonites and Roman Catholics on the local level. If, with proper guidance, small groups dare to tackle the Report, they will find it a treasury of new understanding and wisdom that will help them “grow together” as sisters and brothers in Christ.
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Posted: May 14, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2219
Categories: Opinion • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Mennonite, Mennonite World Conference, peace Transmis : 14 mai 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2219
Catégorie : Opinion • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Mennonite, Mennonite World Conference, peace

Joint Declaration by John Paul II and Bartholomew I

Here is a translation of the Joint Declaration signed by John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and published today.
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Posted: July 1, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2204
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Bartholomew I, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, ecumenism, John Paul II, Orthodox, patriarch, pope Transmis : 1 juil. 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2204
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Bartholomew I, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, ecumenism, John Paul II, Orthodox, patriarch, pope

Feminism, Vatican-style

Rome’s new document on men and women shows that feminists and the Church have more in common than perhaps either realises, but Catholic theology has yet to describe the sacramental nature of women.
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Posted: Aug. 7, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6756
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, Christian feminism, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, theological anthropology, theology, women Transmis : 7 aoüt 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6756
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian feminism, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, theological anthropology, theology, women

Sister Kay finds freedom in faith

Sister Katherine MacDonald, or Sister Kay, sees herself as moving gently into retirement, no small feat for a woman whose 70-plus years of Christian service and achievement could fill a book. MacDonald was born and educated in Saskatoon. She earned a B.Ed. and a BA in History and English at the U of S, and
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Posted: Oct. 2, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6123
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, interfaith, Saskatoon Transmis : 2 oct. 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6123
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, interfaith, Saskatoon

Paradox at the heart of the Mass

Communion is sign of unity, but often it leaves people feeling excluded, on the outside of the community of the faithful. In the fifth of our series, a Benedictine monk seeks a theological basis for a pastoral re-examination of the problem
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Posted: Mar. 12, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6752
Categories: The Tablet • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, eucharist, sacramental sharing Transmis : 12 mars 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6752
Catégorie : The Tablet • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, eucharist, sacramental sharing

Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue back on track

According to a VIS report published May 13, 2005, the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue will be back on track following next Monday’s release of a document on Mary. IARCCUM (pronounced “yar-come”) is the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission. It was established after the Mississauga consultation between bishops of the two communions in 2000. It was intended to parallel the work of ARCIC II (the theological dialogue) with an emphasis on “communion in mission”, that is, to find ways that Anglicans and Roman Catholics can work together to reflect the current stage of our unity. IARCCUM’s mandate was detoured following the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson and the New Westminster decision to bless same-sex unions.
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Posted: May 13, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=134
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary Transmis : 13 mai 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=134
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary

Catholics, Anglicans to present joint document on Mary

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2005 (VIS) – The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Anglican Communion Office announced in a communique today that the most recent report of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), entitled “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ,” will be presented on May 16, 2005 in Seattle, U.S.A., where the
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Posted: May 13, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=135
Categories: Communiqué, Dialogue, Documents, Vatican News • In this article: ARCIC, Catholic, Mary Transmis : 13 mai 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=135
Catégorie : Communiqué, Dialogue, Documents, Vatican News • Dans cet article : ARCIC, Catholic, Mary

Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ

[ACNS 3978a | ACO | 16 MAY 2005] The Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) has released its latest document in its continuing dialogue. Also called ‘The Seattle Statement’, the ARCIC Co-Chairs, Archbishop Alexander Brunett of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, and Archbishop Peter Carnley, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, were present
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Posted: May 16, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=136
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Christian unity, Mary Transmis : 16 mai 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=136
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Christian unity, Mary

ARCIC’s method

As I have been reading various news reports, blogs, and editorials commenting upon the the new Anglican – Roman Catholic dialogue report on “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” I have been a little annoyed to hear critics repeat the same line again and again: that the “old ecumenism” is wishy washy. This is frequently contrasted with a proposed new ecumenism that would be committed to truth. What? Is the “old ecumenism” not committed to truth? The bulk of my annoyance stems from the fact that these critiques are not only rejecting the conclusions of the dialogues (a legitimate response), but also that they present the theologians and churches involved as insincere or unfaithful. Most of time these critiques stem from a general rejection of the ecumenical endeavour, not from any understanding of the content of the dialogues.
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Posted: May 28, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=137
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary Transmis : 28 mai 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=137
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary

Online texts for ARCIC’s Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ

The full text of Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ has been published on our website with the permission of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

An Introduction to Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ, prepared by the Rev. Don Bolen, co-secretary of ARCIC II, and staff-person at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and A Commentary by Jared Wicks, s.j. are available on the Vatican website; A commentary and study guide by Timothy Bradshaw is available on the Anglican Communion website.
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Posted: July 21, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=146
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary Transmis : 21 juil. 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=146
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Catholic, Mary

A Catholic Philosopher Argues for Relativism

“After the first few months of the new pontificate, the general impression is that no one within the Church is seriously criticizing the central theses – philosophical and theological – of Benedict XVI’s preaching. But that’s not the way it is. One Catholic philosopher has disputed one of the main points of Joseph Ratzinger’s thought: the one dealing with the natural law and relativism. The philosopher is Dario Antiseri, a professor of social sciences methodology at the Free International University of Social Studies in Rome.”

The above comes from Sandro Magister, an Italian journalist. The full text can be found at www.chiesa.espressonline.it. Magister’s article includes a translation of a major piece of Dario Antiseri’s original journal article.
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Posted: Nov. 6, 2005 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=170
Categories: News • In this article: Benedict XVI, Catholic Transmis : 6 nov. 2005 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=170
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Benedict XVI, Catholic

Methodist Catholic Relations 2006

When Pope Benedict met with representatives of the World Methodist Council in December of 2005, he alluded to the Speech of Pope Paul VI, noting that when we look back to the nearly 40 years of patient and persevering dialogue between Methodists and Catholics since the end of the Second Vatican Council, “there is much for which we can today give thanks”.
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Posted: Jan. 1, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1979
Categories: Communiqué • In this article: Catholic, Methodist Transmis : 1 janv. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1979
Catégorie : Communiqué • Dans cet article : Catholic, Methodist

Le COE renforce le dialogue avec les catholiques et les pentecôtistes

Le Conseil œcuménique des Eglises (COE) a terminé son Assemblée, qui se tient tous les sept ans, par un appel à renforcer le dialogue avec les Eglises catholique romaine, pentecôtistes et évangéliques qui ne sont pas membres de l’organisation, dont le siège est à Genève.
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Posted: Mar. 6, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=213
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: 2006, Catholic, WCC Transmis : 6 mars 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=213
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : 2006, Catholic, WCC

WCC assembly wants closer moves to Catholics, Pentecostals

The World Council of Churches ended its once every seven years assembly held in Brazil with calls to reach out to Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and Evangelical churches that do not belong to the Geneva-based grouping.
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Posted: Mar. 6, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=214
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: 2006, Catholic, Christian unity, Pentecostal, WCC, WCC Assembly Transmis : 6 mars 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=214
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : 2006, Catholic, Christian unity, Pentecostal, WCC, WCC Assembly

Kasper’s line in the sand?

Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has given “a clear and helpful contribution” to the Church of England’s debate over the consecration of women bishops, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. The gracious response offered by Williams was to be expected between two close friends and theological colleagues. Nevertheless, Kasper’s frank address to the House of Bishops was a sign of the significance that the Vatican places on the English church’s decision. As an exercise in ecumenical brinkmanship it may be unparallelled in recent times.
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Posted: June 10, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=238
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England, ordination, Walter Kasper, women Transmis : 10 juin 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=238
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England, ordination, Walter Kasper, women

A Pope for all Christians

by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali for The Tablet. Pope John Paul II has invited leaders and theologians of other Churches to help him in seeking new forms for the papal ministry. In this article the Bishop of Rochester makes a contribution from the Anglican Communion’s point of view. As I write, conversations are taking place in
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Posted: June 12, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6550
Categories: Opinion, The Tablet • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, papacy, petrine ministry Transmis : 12 juin 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6550
Catégorie : Opinion, The Tablet • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, papacy, petrine ministry

Methodists affirm Joint Declaration with Lutherans and Catholics

During the summer months ecumenical news dries up as church leaders, pastors, and theologians head off on their holiday plans. However, this year a very significant event occurred while we were all at the lake. Since 2001, Methodists have expressed appreciation for the Lutheran-Roman Catholic “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification” (JDDJ). Not long after the formal affirmation of the JDDJ, representatives of the Methodist World Council and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches gathered with the two signatories to discuss the possibilities of expanding the consensus to include their constituencies. This summer, on July 23, the World Methodist Conference, a gathering of 76 churches in the Methodist tradition, affirmed the Joint Declaration in a signing ceremony together with Lutheran and Roman Catholic representatives.
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Posted: Aug. 5, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=253
Categories: Dialogue, News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, JDDJ, Lutheran, Methodist, statements Transmis : 5 aoüt 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=253
Catégorie : Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, JDDJ, Lutheran, Methodist, statements

ARC forum on Mary – Sept 28

The Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada invites you to attend a forum on the ARCIC Agreed Statement “Mary, Grace and Hope in Christ” on Thursday, September 28, 2006, 7:30 pm at Montreal Diocesan College, 3473 University St., Montreal. Presentations and responses will be given by two members of the dialogue: Dr. Catherine Clifford, Professor of Theology, St. Paul University, Ottawa and the Rev’d Canon Kevin Flynn, Director of Anglican Studies, St. Paul University, Ottawa. Discussion and refreshments to follow with presenters and other members of the Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada.
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Posted: Sept. 14, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=266
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Canada, Catholic, Christian unity, Mary Transmis : 14 sept. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=266
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Canada, Catholic, Christian unity, Mary

Forum de l’ARC sur Marie – 28 septembre

Le dialogue Anglican Catholique du Canada (ARC-Canada) tient un forum sur le rapport d’ARCIC « Marie : grâce et espérance dans le Christ » le jeudi 28 septembre 2006 à 19:30h chez Montreal Diocesan College, 3473 rue University, Montreal. Des présentations et les réponses seront données par Dr. Cathy Clifford, professeure de la théologie à l’Université Saint-Paul, Ottawa et le révérend Canon Kevin Flynn, directeur des études Anglican à l’Université Saint-Paul, Ottawa. Après les présentations, joindre svp les présentateurs et d’autres membres du l’ARC-Canada pour la discussion et les rafraîchissements.
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Posted: Sept. 15, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=267
Categories: Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, ARCIC, Canada, Catholic Transmis : 15 sept. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=267
Catégorie : Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, ARCIC, Canada, Catholic

Evangelicals & Catholics Together in a culture of life

A new statement has been published by Evangelicals and Catholics Together, an ad-hoc group of theologians and church leaders headed by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus. This text, entitled “That They May Have Life,” is the sixth statement issued by ECT since 1994. In their most recent offering, ECT returns its focus to public policy, morality, and the so-called “culture wars.” Seeking to promote dialogue within the US on the “culture of life,” the group affirms that they share common interests and concerns with those who oppose them. These include a common interest in the American experiment and a common humanity with its God-given capacity for reason. The text, which has the tone of a pastoral letter, appears to be interested in a dialogue between secular culture and Christians.

While this latest document is to be welcomed for its clear articulation of certain aspects of the “culture of life,” and for the continuing efforts of Evangelicals and Roman Catholics to speak together on issues of shared concern, it is disappointing for many of the same reasons that the first ECT statement was criticized. There is very little contribution made here to the ecumenical rapprochement between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics. Many of the issues that the participants agreed upon in this statement will divide them from others within their own churches. This statement will likely be received as just another contribution to the abortion debate by the Religious Right. To me, it seems like like they weren’t reaching high enough.
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Posted: Sept. 20, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=268
Categories: Dialogue, Documents, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together Transmis : 20 sept. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=268
Catégorie : Dialogue, Documents, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together

New missal deals blow to ecumenism, liturgist says

The outgoing president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a leading Catholic liturgist has told The Catholic Register the most recent translation of the Roman Missal is “a step backwards” for ecumenical relations.

“It’s going to feel like the ecumenical movement has taken a hit,” Fr. Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Church in Missouri and author of a half-dozen books on Catholic liturgy, said following an opening liturgy for the North American Academy of Liturgy annual meeting in Toronto Jan. 4.

New, more literal, translations from Latin of liturgical texts scheduled to hit parishes in two years are a departure from the Second Vatican Council’s movement toward common texts with Anglican, Lutheran and other churches, Turner said. Those common texts were a specific goal of council fathers in the 1960s, and non-Catholic scholars were consulted by Catholic liturgists and translators in the past.

“That same effort is not being made today,” he said.
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Posted: Jan. 17, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6973
Categories: Catholic Register • In this article: Catholic, liturgy Transmis : 17 janv. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6973
Catégorie : Catholic Register • Dans cet article : Catholic, liturgy

Richard Smith named Archbishop of Edmonton

(Ottawa-CCCB) His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Richard Smith as Archbishop of Edmonton. Since his episcopal ordination in June 2002, he has served as Bishop of Pembroke. The Edmonton see has been vacant since Archbishop Thomas Collins was appointed Archbishop of Toronto. The Archdiocese of Edmonton has a population of 333,000 Catholics in 137 parishes and missions served by 75 diocesan priests, 87 religious priests, two permanent deacons and 379 religious Brothers and Sisters as well as 52 lay pastoral workers.
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Posted: Mar. 27, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=306
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic Transmis : 27 mars 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=306
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic

Report sets stage for closer relations between Catholics, Anglicans

Church unity hasn’t happened yet, but Catholics and Anglicans have a new list of concrete suggestions for ways to bring the two churches closer. A joint commission of Catholic and Anglican bishops has produced a 42-page report which aims “to bridge the gap between the elements of faith we hold in common and the tangible expression of that shared belief in our ecclesial lives.” The result of work by theologians and bishops in North America, Europe and Australia, Growing Together in Unity and Mission summarizes the agreements reached in 40 years of Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue, setting out common belief in the Trinity, the church as communion in mission, Scripture, Baptism, Eucharist, ministry, authority in the church, discipleship and holiness, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also sets out in eight boxed sections areas of disagreement. The disagreements take up 15 of the 126 numbered paragraphs in the document.
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Posted: Apr. 13, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7005
Categories: Catholic Register, Dialogue • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, IARCCUM, mission, witness Transmis : 13 avril 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7005
Catégorie : Catholic Register, Dialogue • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, IARCCUM, mission, witness

Joint Declaration by the Pope and Chrysostomos II

Following this morning’s private meeting, and their exchange of speeches, the Pope and His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, signed a Joint declaration in the presence of the Catholic and Cypriot Orthodox delegations. In the declaration, Benedict XVI and the archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus declare their “sincere and firm desire, in obedience to the will of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to intensify the search for full unity among all Christians. … We wish the Catholic and Orthodox faithful of Cyprus to live fraternally and in full solidarity. … Furthermore, we wish to support and promote theological dialogue which, through the competent international commission, is preparing to consider the most onerous questions that marked the historical event of division. It is necessary to reach substantial agreement over full communion in the faith, in sacramental life and in the exercise of pastoral ministry.”
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Posted: June 16, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=318
Categories: Vatican News • In this article: Catholic, Orthodox Transmis : 16 juin 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=318
Catégorie : Vatican News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Orthodox

Déclaration commune de Chrysostomos II et Benoît XVI

Après leur rencontre privée et l’échange de discours, le Pape et don hôte SB Chrysostomos II de Chypre ont signé une Déclaration commune, dans laquelle ils déclarent leur sincère et ferme engagement à obéir à la volonté du Seigneur en intensifiant leur recherche de la pleine unité entre tous les chrétiens. Le Pape et l’Archevêque désirent que les catholiques et les orthodoxes de Chypre vivent fraternellement et solidairement. “Nous voulons en outre soutenir et développer le dialogue théologique qui, par le biais de la Commission internationale s’apprête à traiter des points les plus complexes ayant marqué la division historique” des Eglises. “Nous devons parvenir à un accord substantiel en vue de la communion parfaite dans la foi, dans la vie sacramentelle et l’exercice du ministère pastoral”.
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Posted: June 16, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=319
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Orthodox Transmis : 16 juin 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=319
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Orthodox

Murray Chatlain named as coadjutor bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith

On 23 June, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Reverend Murray Chatlain as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.
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Posted: June 23, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=326
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic Transmis : 23 juin 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=326
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic

Pope encourages Latin Mass

On Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI issued a motu proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum, on the use of the 1962 Latin Mass. The document has been widely expected for some months now.
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Posted: July 7, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=334
Categories: Documents, News • In this article: Benedict XVI, Catholic, eucharist Transmis : 7 juil. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=334
Catégorie : Documents, News • Dans cet article : Benedict XVI, Catholic, eucharist

The Apostolicity of the Church: Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission

The Apostolicity of the Church is the title of the current study document of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity. With this document, the Commission completes the 1995-2006 fourth phase of the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue at the global level. The study document of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) is aimed at contributing toward deepening communion between the Roman Catholic Church and Lutheran churches. The document has been sent to the respective churches of the mandating bodies and to the wider public of persons and groups engaged in the ecumenical movement.
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Posted: July 13, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2261
Categories: Dialogue, News • In this article: apostolicity, Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Lutheran Transmis : 13 juil. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2261
Catégorie : Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : apostolicity, Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Lutheran

Bridgefolk models grass-roots ecumenism

Margaret Pfeil wants peace. She wants it so much that three and a half years ago she moved into St. Peter Claver Catholic Worker community, a house of hospitality in South Bend, Ind. She believes in radical political participation, so she doesn’t vote except in local elections. Once her student loans are paid off, she hopes to practice tax resistance by living below the poverty line. Pfeil, an assistant professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, wants peace but sometimes she finds she needs to look outside the Catholic church to find the resources and support to help her live her faith.
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Posted: Aug. 17, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6473
Categories: News • In this article: Bridgefolk, Catholic, Mennonite, spiritual ecumenism Transmis : 17 aoüt 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6473
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Bridgefolk, Catholic, Mennonite, spiritual ecumenism

Catholic women in ministry – a review

CATHOLIC WOMEN IN MINISTRY: Changing the Way Things Are, by Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers. Novalis (Montreal, QC ). © 2007, 216pp., $21.95. Reviewed by Gertrude Rompré.
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Posted: Aug. 21, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=338
Categories: News • In this article: books, Catholic, ecclesiology, ministry, ordination, theology, women Transmis : 21 aoüt 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=338
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : books, Catholic, ecclesiology, ministry, ordination, theology, women

Vatican excommunicates some members of Canadian sect

The Vatican has announced the excommunication of certain members of the Army of Mary, a sect in Canada whose teachings have been deemed dangerous and erroneous by church authorities.
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Posted: Sept. 14, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=346
Categories: CNS • In this article: Catholic Transmis : 14 sept. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=346
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : Catholic

The Vatican on the subsistence of the church of Christ

This past summer, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) issued a statement entitled “Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church.” This document immediately attracted attention, comment, spin, appreciation, and criticism from around the world. The document contains five questions and the responses of the CDF, with very little additional comment. The focus of the questions is the meaning of the word “subsists” as it appears in Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), article 8. The council declared that the one Church of Christ “constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him, although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.”

Much of the criticism of the document has come from within the Catholic community, although notable critiques have also been issued by ecumenical partners. The criticism has addressed the exclusivity with which the new CDF document interprets the word “subsists”, and the insistence of the CDF that other churches are thereby deficient. The responses to the document were more careful and nuanced than those made in 2000 to Dominus Iesus, but many observers connected the two documents, seeing the new text as little more than a re-articulation of the earlier problematic statements.

After considerable thought about whether there was anything further productive to say about the document and the controversy stirred up this summer, I have decided to share some of my initial reflections in the days following the publication of the “responsa.” There are numerous additional perspectives that could be offered, many of which are available online.
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Posted: Sept. 15, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=347
Categories: Documents • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Levada, Vatican Transmis : 15 sept. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=347
Catégorie : Documents • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Levada, Vatican

Anglicans & Catholics growing together in unity & mission

An agreed statement entitled “Growing Together in Unity & Mission” was released today by the Anglican Communion Office and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The statement attempts to foster discussion and reflection on the work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) over the past 40 years. However, the statement insists, “it is more than this: it is a call for action, based upon an honest appraisal of what has been achieved in our dialogue. Despite our present ‘imperfect communion’, there is, we feel, enough common ground to take seriously how we work together.”
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Posted: Sept. 15, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=348
Categories: Dialogue, Documents • In this article: Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, IARCCUM, statements Transmis : 15 sept. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=348
Catégorie : Dialogue, Documents • Dans cet article : Anglican, Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, IARCCUM, statements