Abstract
We do not live in an 'ecumenical winter.' Since the Second Vatican Council, great
progress has been made. Considering this, I propose ten concrete suggestions
for further ecumenical relationships in our current situation. I argue that (1) now
that the Roman Catholic Church has explicitly recognized that together with the
Lutheran churches, we form the one body of Christ, it is time for the Roman Catholic Church to refer to mainstream Protestant churches as 'churches' and not as 'ecclesial communities.' (2) it is time that we think about concrete models for the reunion of Protestant churches with the Roman Catholic Church, including a Protestant rite and canon law; (3) it is time for a more ecumenical approach to the new evangelization; (4) it is time to change Catholic canon law so that attending an ecumenical service counts as fulfilling one's Sunday obligation; (5) it is time that churches agree on consulting each other before taking decisions that affect their ecumenical relationships; (6) it is time that churches adopt the listening attitude that nowadays goes by the name of receptive ecumenism; (7) It is time that we convince more young people that ecumenism is important. (8) Transfer - I avoid the term 'conversion' here, which should be used for a movement to Christ, not for one from one church to another - of Christians between churches who are ecumenical partners should be discouraged. Opening the possibility of dual church membership should be considered on the condition that this dual membership serves ecumenical purposes.
progress has been made. Considering this, I propose ten concrete suggestions
for further ecumenical relationships in our current situation. I argue that (1) now
that the Roman Catholic Church has explicitly recognized that together with the
Lutheran churches, we form the one body of Christ, it is time for the Roman Catholic Church to refer to mainstream Protestant churches as 'churches' and not as 'ecclesial communities.' (2) it is time that we think about concrete models for the reunion of Protestant churches with the Roman Catholic Church, including a Protestant rite and canon law; (3) it is time for a more ecumenical approach to the new evangelization; (4) it is time to change Catholic canon law so that attending an ecumenical service counts as fulfilling one's Sunday obligation; (5) it is time that churches agree on consulting each other before taking decisions that affect their ecumenical relationships; (6) it is time that churches adopt the listening attitude that nowadays goes by the name of receptive ecumenism; (7) It is time that we convince more young people that ecumenism is important. (8) Transfer - I avoid the term 'conversion' here, which should be used for a movement to Christ, not for one from one church to another - of Christians between churches who are ecumenical partners should be discouraged. Opening the possibility of dual church membership should be considered on the condition that this dual membership serves ecumenical purposes.
| Translated title of the contribution | 'Challenges' for Ecumenism in Europe |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 23 |
| Number of pages | 38 |
| Journal | Perspectief: Digitaal Oecumenisch Theologisch Tijdschrift |
| Issue number | 61 |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
| Event | Uitdagingen voor de oecumene in Europa: Studiedag Katholieke Vereniging voor Oeumene - Jozefkerk, Oss, Netherlands Duration: 4 Nov 2022 → 4 Nov 2022 |
Keywords
- ecumenism