Ecumenism

What is Ecumenism?

The term 'Ecumenism' comes from a Greek word meaning 'the inhabited earth'. The word occurs in the New Testament in Luke 2:1, where it is translated as 'all the world'. In the 20th century in the non-Roman Catholic world it is used of a movement for Church unity which resulted from the Edinburgh Missionary Conference of 1910 and which has now evolved through the Faith and Order, Life and Work, and International Missionary Council movements into the World Council of Churches (WCC) - the term 'Christian' being rightly excluded from the title. In the Roman Catholic world it is used for a parallel movement aiming at the eventual inclusion of all other churches and religions in the Church of Rome and is headed in that department of the Vatican known as the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity.

How is Ecumenism organised internationally?

It is organised on the world level in the World Council of Churches and with the Vatican's Secretariat for Unity in various International Commissions such as the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and others representing Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and Baptists, etc., with Rome.

How is it organised in these Islands?

It is organised in these Islands in the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland (COCBI), of which the Roman Catholic Churches of England, Wales and Scotland are foundation members.

What is the declared purpose of COCBI?

The Council declares that it is 'in search of the unity for which Christ prayed'. The purpose of COCBI is to enable the Churches in Britain and Ireland to grow together and to take action together. It provides a meeting-place for Churches in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, so that they may 'share their talents and their different traditions as they seek to work together to express the unity of Christ's people'. COCBI exists 'to help the Churches to find strength and encouragement in the sharing of worship and prayer, in undertaking joint ventures in mission and evangelism and in responding together to the needs of the human community in these Islands and throughout the world.

In what way is Ecumenism organised in Ireland?

It is organised in the Irish Council of Churches ('Christian' rightly excluded), whose members are: Church of Ireland (Anglican), Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Non-Subscribing Presbyterian, Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army, Religious Society of Friends. It works by means of its Boards of Inter-Church, Community and Overseas Affairs, and co-operates closely with the Roman Catholic Irish Commission for Justice and Peace in a Peace Education Programme. Also, Roman Catholic observers attend meetings of the Council.