Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations

Articles

• United we livestream: ecumenical dialogue adjusts to going online (2021)

• Catholics, Jews debate Esther’s origins but agree on its value (2020)

• Passover, Easter meal brings Vancouver Jews, Catholics together (2019)

• Reformation disputes largely gone, but many don’t realize it (2019)

• Christmas and Hanukkah: the ‘minor’ holidays that grew (2018)

• Reformation events sparked interest in unity (2018)

• 'We all lost in the Reformation,' says Protestant theologian (2017)

• Catholics and Lutherans cross Reformation divide

Publications

Catholic Documents

• The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum – Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (2020)

• Ut Unum Sint – On Commitment to Ecumenism (1995)

• The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism (1988)

• Dignitatis Humanae – Declaration on Religious Freedom (1965)

• Nostra Aetate – Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (1965)

• Unitatis Redingegraio – Decree on Ecumenism (1964)
  

Ecumenical Agreements and Dialogue Texts

• Ecumenism Dialogues (2020)  

• Walking Together on the Way (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, ARCIC III, 2016)

• The Church Towards a Common Vision – World Council of Churches (2013)

• The Filioque: A Church Dividing Issue?: An Agreed Statement (USCCB, 2003)

• Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1997)

• Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (Faith and Order Paper no. 111, the "Lima Text") (1982)

Interreligious Dialogue

• Dabru Emet: A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity

• Evangelization and Interreligious Dialogue (Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, 2003)

• To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven: Towards a Partnership between Jews and Christians

• The Gifts and Calling of God are Irrevocable

Additional Resources

• Acta Œcumenica  

• Our Roman Catholic Neighbours (The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, 2016)  

• Our Evangelical Neighbours (CCCB, 2016)  

• Receptive Ecumenism – Centre for Catholic Studies

• The Golden Rule Poster

Videos

• Pastor Matt Menzel interviews Fr. Justin Huang

• Pope Francis and Christian Unity

• St. John Paul II: A Pope of Dialogue, a Pope of Unity

• Ut unum sint - Forty Years of Ecumenism

Websites

• Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue

• Canadian Council of Churches

• Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

• Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity

• Focolare Canada

• Multifaith Summit Council of British Columbia

• World Council of Churches

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.

In the northern hemisphere, this ecumenical celebration is traditionally held every year between January 18 (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25 (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul). In the southern hemisphere, it is often celebrated during the Pentecost season. Your communities are invited to choose the dates that would be appropriate for your context.

Today, we live with divisions even as we yearn for the unity promised and commissioned by Christ. The long and often painful history of Christianity has sundered our churches for theological, liturgical, and political reasons. Many Christians now strive to heal these divisions, yet honour our diversity, through ecumenical dialogue, common action, and relationship-building. They also come together to pray for unity, joining Christ in his prayer to the Father.

The worldwide celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is both the seed and the fruit of this striving for ‘unity in diversity’. This time of shared prayer, reflection, and fellowship invites Christians of different traditions to deepen our relationships and to live and witness together throughout the year.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration in making a sacrificial gift. Your donations will help us meet the continuous need to foster personal encounters with Jesus.