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Dialogue among the Churches of the West
Dialogue can be between the Catholics and churches of the Protestant Reformation, or among churches of the Protestant Reformation.
Dialogue has begun to build unity:
In Canada in 1925, the Methodists, Congregationalists, and 70% of the Presbyterians joined to become the United Church of Canada.
Catholics and Anglicans have reached a high level of agreement on most questions centered on the Church, such as:
the role of the Church and bishops in our salvation
the role of the pope and bishops
the meaning of Church and its mission
Major issues that separate Catholics and Anglicans are:
the ordination of women and homosexuals (some Anglican dioceses began ordaining women in the 1970s)
ethical issues such as divorce, remarriage, artificial birth control, abortion, and in vitro fertilization
Dialogue has not yet led to a shared Eucharist.
But, people are coming together to talk about their faith, pray together and address issues of social justice.
Ecumenism: A Difficult Task
Christianity is the fulfillment of God’s desire to gather together all of humanity to do God’s work.
Therefore, the divisions in Christianity must be healed.
This reconciling and healing is very difficult because:
It is difficult for people to let go of their lifelong beliefs.
Each person’s convictions inform that person’s identity.
It is hard to listen to other people’s convictions when people feel their own convictions are the truth.
A Renewed Ecumenism
Sustaining the ecumenical movement has become more difficult because:
Most Christians do not understand why the churches separated to begin with.
Many feel these battles are not theirs or the issues no longer matter.
Christians today focus on issues such as war and peace, poverty, economic justice, and the environment.
Young people can be impatient with the slow pace of arriving at agreements.
How can Christians contribute to ecumenism?
Study the scriptures, which are the foundation of Christian life and the Christian churches.
Pray always, especially the Lord’s Prayer; take part in the week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Bring people together. Always be hospitable, never exclude anyone, always be in solidarity with the poor and the oppressed, and be a friend to all.
Take part in local ecumenical activities involving Catholics and other Christian groups, such as meetings, retreats, or volunteering.
Visit churches and talk to people who belong to them to find out what they believe and how they live.
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