Monday, June 22, 2026
What are Catholic Perspectives on Ecumenical Dialogue & Inter-religious Movements?
As I begin my course on ecumenical discussions and inter-religious movements, I find myself feeling a little anxious, or perhaps excited, about beginning this journey toward discernment in Rome. I don’t quite know what to expect and I’m travelling away from home for three weeks, so I know this learning is important- I just don’t know what the application will look like in terms of my faith and work responsibilities, but I do know as an elementary teacher and catechesis instructor, that when our communities are strong, God is always there walking with us.
The Holy Spirit is calling me to further explore John 17:21, when Jesus said, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you.” How can I contribute to Christ’s goal of a more unified church? Is this possible and how can one person make a difference? I intend to find out because Fr. Jim told us that koinonia, or a good relationship between God and man, can only be achieved if God’s people have unity through shared faith and spirituality. This is God’s plan for His people to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Scripture (Loughran)
Is it a waste of time because not everyone will be Catholic?
There are some people who honestly believe that unity means we will all be the same and one ground will have to be reformed, to make us all one. I think the world would be a very boring place to live, if we were all the same. Communities come first, and that means diversity is fully supported with others.
Think about the story of the Good Samaritan or the Woman at the Well. We need each other to survive, so we must all respectfully listen to and support one another, as we find commonality. It is our diversity that builds up the body of Christ, making it stronger and harvesting the fruits of the Church, such as joy, peace, kindness, patience etc. We are all have a Christian baptism and so we are all brothers and systems in God’s family. This provides us all with hope and purpose in an ever-changing world. Let us do these good works to make unity possible, together.
We Share Common Traditions (Quicke)
Our communion with other faiths begins with our shared origins and traditions. It is wonderful to learn about our shared origins and different perspectives of these old traditions. When you look to the Coptic Churches of the East and how theology is written, as well as interpreted. There is a unique opportunity to see how history is written and shared, particularly when you learn about the lives and suffering of the martyrs to uphold the faith.
I often think about the statement Quicke said on Tuesday, about the “blood of martyrs becomes the seeds of Christian unity with the Body of Christ.” People die for their faith. They are not individuals living the faith, they are together as one, in unity. And when one part of the body is in pain, the entire body suffers. The People of God are quite similar. What can I do to lessen the hurts and pains of the past? How can I learn more about our shared history and difficulties of the past?
Ecumenism is starting to make a lot of sense and yet it is so difficult to achieve. An open, kind and loving heart with a respectful ear to listen to others, with a desire to promote unity. We may not agree on everything, but we can atleast begin a dialogue to see how we can promote unity in our communities.
Visiting the global Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, on June 23, 2025.
Sola Fiedei- there is only faith. Solos Christus- there is only One Christ that provides salvation. We don’t know the date or time Christ will come again. Reconciliation and healing will promote unity. Everyone person has the ability and free will to respond in faith, through good works as a response to God’s grace.
Loving Father,
Thank you for the gift of ecumenism and the grace of divine unity. Thank you for the opportunity to listen and talk to others, to promote reconciliation and healing. Help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit to see your image in those we serve, in the body of Christ. Amen.
Let us learn more about ecumenism from spiritual leaders and its impact on these interactions locally and globally.
Loving Father,
Thank you for the gift of ecumenism and the grace of divine unity. Thank you for the opportunity to listen and talk to others, to promote reconciliation and healing. Help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit to see your image in those we serve, in the body of Christ.
Amen.
Final Thoughts:
Ecumenism is an art. It takes research and understanding of the history and disagreements of a different faiths. However, it also requires patience, love, discernment and kindness- all the fruits of the Holy Spirit, to promote divine unity. Conversion is needed for a more unified church. It cannot be forced. It happens over time, with gentle peaceful interactions and healing. Many of the martyrs of the early Church were killed because of their passionate message of the Good News. Today, we must find common ground with our Christian brothers and sisters to achieve Christ’s plan for one holy, catholic and apostolic church. Let us be loving, compassionate and heal the past, for the sake of our future. It is God’s will that we have and celebrate our communion with one another.
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