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Who Are we As People Called to
Ecumenism?
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Prof. Catherine Clifford, expert in ecumenism, helped
participants address this question in a rich and challenging way on Saturday,
February 3rd at the Diocesan Centre. Focusing on key documents, and
a helpful visual depicting the historical relationships among the churches, she
invited participants to examine the historical and current status of
relationships between the catholic church and other churches sharing the one
Christian Faith.
Cathy encouraged people to move away from simplest
interpretations of our relationships to engage with the very complex issues and
pastoral considerations that are always at work. There are no simple answers to
questions like, “who may receive communion?” Rather, our church
acknowledges the complex question this is and leaves much room for good
pastoral discernment. Cathy highlighted the movement toward unity within
diversity as characteristic of ecumenical dialogue, rather than attempts to
make everyone the same. |
Prof. Catherine Clifford engages
participants in a rich and challenging session on ecumenism. |
Working to build unity among all Christians is a fundamental
call, not an option, for us all. The divisions among all of the Christian faith
is scandalous and needs healing. This healing is the responsibility of all. All
were encouraged to find ways to act upon this call in their own lives and the
life of their parish communities. It was suggested that the lens of “how
might we engage in this activity with other Christian churches in our
area?” Ought always to be applied to parish activities.
Participants were engaged and challenged by the session. Many
thankfully expressed new understandings and insights as a result.
The next session “Who are We in Relationship with the Other
Great Religions of the World?” will be held on Sat., March 3rd,
2007 with Fabrice Blée, specialist in inter-religious dialogue, as
presenter. All are welcome! abrown@ecclesia-ottawa.org (613)738-5025 (x251) to
register.
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