IN CAMMINO… UN ANNO DI ESPERIENZE ECUMENICHE LOCALI E NON LOCALI DALLA VISITA DI PAPA FRANCESCO A GINEVRA

Author(s):  
Riccardo Burigana

La visita di papa Francesco a Ginevra rappresenta una tappa significativa nel dialogo ecumenico per le parole e gesti che hanno caratterizzato la visita del papa al Consiglio Ecumenico delle Chiese in occasione del 70° anniversario della sua fondazione. La visita del papa ha acquistato un valore ancora più rilevante alla luce dei tanti eventi ecumenici che l’autore descrive, soffermandosi su alcuni temi condivisi; questi eventi hanno testimoniato la vitalità della stagione che sta vivendo l’ecumenismo a livello globale, nonostante il dibattito nel mondo ortodosso riguardo alla Chiesa Ucraina. ON THE WAY…. A YEAR OF ECUMENICAL LOCAL AND NOT LOCAL EXPERIENCES FROM POPE FRANCIS’ VISIT TO GENEVAAbstractPope Francis' visit to Geneva represents a significant step in the ecumenical dialogue for the words and deeds which characterized Pope’s visit to the World Council of Churches in occasion of 70th anniversary of its foundation. Pope’s visit gained even more value in light of so many ecumenical events which the author describes, by focusing some shared topics. They testified to the vitality of the season that the ecumenism lives, despite the debate inside the Orthodox world about the Ukrainian Church.

Author(s):  
Susan K. Wood

This chapter surveys commonalities and divergences with regard to the theology and practice of baptism that are reflected in the World Council of Churches convergence document on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, and considers in particular the Anabaptist, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Quaker, and Reformed traditions. Major topics treated include: the role of faith with regard to baptism, interconnections between baptism, faith, and justification; the relationship between baptism and patterns of initiation in various traditions; and elements of the ancient catechumenate in contemporary rites. The chapter argues that in the expansive theology of baptism in the catechumenal tradition baptism is understood to be transformative and regenerative, eucharistic in orientation and meaning, eschatological in orientation, and ecclesial in context. The chapter finally summarizes the achievements of ecumenical dialogue and identifies remaining issues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-99
Author(s):  
Adrian George Boldisor

Baptism has been a focus of significant discussion in the ecumenical movement, as the different churches seek a common understanding of Baptism, with the goal of mutual recognition. The Orthodox Church has been involved in these conversations from the beginning. The present article is an attempt to trace the participation of the Orthodox representatives in these dialogues on Baptism, both at the level of the World Council of Churches and in bilateral dialogues. It explains the Orthodox understanding of Baptism as a Sacrament, how this understanding is reflected (or not) in ecumenical agreements on Baptism. It will also review official Orthodox responses to some of these agreements. The author attempts to demonstrate that the Orthodox Church’s contributions to these sometimes-difficult dialogues have shown a commitment to seeking a common understanding of Baptism. Finally, this paper will examine the present state of ecumenical dialogue on Baptism, and evaluate its prospects for the future.


Exchange ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-249
Author(s):  
Radu Bordeianu

The 2013 convergence document, The Church: Towards a Common Vision (ctcv) incorporates several aspects of the response of the Napa Inter-Orthodox Consultation to The Nature and Mission of the Church (nmc) which, as its subtitle suggests, was A Stage on the Way to a Common Statement, namely The Church. Eastern and Oriental Orthodox responders (jointly!) point to the imprecise use of the term, ‘church’, the World Council of Churches (wcc)’s understanding of ‘the limits of the Church’, and to the ‘branch theory’ implicit in nmc, an ecclesiology toned down in ctcv. Bordeianu proposes a subjective recognition of the fullness of the church in one’s community as a possible way forward. Simultaneously, Orthodox representatives have grown into a common, ecumenical understanding of the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the church’s work for justice; attentiveness to the role of women in the church; and accepting new forms of teaching authority in an ecumenical context. The positions of various churches are no longer parallel monologues, but reflect earnest change and convergence.


2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 36-44
Author(s):  
Konrad Raiser

Abstract The paper reflects about ways and criteria of arriving at ethical judgements and decisions in ecumenical dialogue. After a brief historical retrospective the paper discusses more recent perspectives of an ››ecclesial ethics‹‹ as they have been put forward in an ecumenical study on ››ecclesiology and ethics ‹‹ and then further developed and confirmed in dialogues with the Roman-Catholic and the Orthodox churches under the auspices of the World Council of Churches


Ecclesiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Chapman

This paper traces the origins and subsequent use of the concepts of ‘organic union’ and ‘reconciled diversity’ as alternative descriptions of the visible unity of the Church and the method and goal of ecumenism, with special reference to the documents of the World Council of Churches and a select number of related texts emanating from theological dialogue at a world level. The paper argues: (1) that each of these concepts preserves valuable insights into the unity and diversity of the Church; (2) that the corresponding approaches to inter-church relations and dialogue need not be incompatible as ecumenical method; (3) but that ‘reconciled diversity’, as it is usually described, is only a temporary state on the way to ‘organic union’ and not itself a sufficient expression of the full visible unity of the Church.


2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-296
Author(s):  
Marko Nikolic ◽  
Petar Petkovic

The article deals with ecumenism and the most important examples of its ?institutionalisation?. It is stated that ecumenism implies the doctrine (idea), universal inter-church movement and the proclaimed goal of achieving Christian unity. It possesses at least theological, sociological and political determinants. The World Council of Churches is a universal inter-church forum for dialogue and cooperation that lacks clear ecclesiological identity. However, it is getting the characteristics of a typical international political movement. The Conference of European Churches is a similar European organization. The Parliament of World Religions tends to found and promote ?global ethics? in order to accomplish pacifistic goals in the world.


Author(s):  
Kevin W. Irwin

The chapter surveys the statements and initiatives on ecology developed within and issued by the World Council of Churches, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the Roman Catholic Church. It finds care for creation to be a concern to which churches have responded both through individual initiatives and by ecumenical dialogue. It identifies 1989–1990 as a watershed when statements and initiatives began to develop ecological teachings centred on the creative activity of the Trinity, the responsibility of members of the church as stewards and priests of creation, and the centrality of prayer and liturgy—especially the Eucharist—in care for creation. Finally, it indicates avenues for further ecumenical dialogue and offers suggestions for action, focusing in particular on sacramentality and a sacramental view of the world, and highlighting the ecclesiological importance of contributions, initiatives, and statements from local churches.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-45
Author(s):  
Sarah Lewis

This article examines the way in which the Unification Church has promoted dialogue, particularly interreligious dialogue, and the role of dialogue in the theology of the Unification Church. It notes, however, that although dialogue with other religions is essential to fulfil the theology of the movement, it is the theology of the movement that makes successful interreligious dialogue impossible. The Unification Church claims a new Messiah for Christianity and this paper argues that this presents one of the most significant barriers to dialogue with, for example, the World Council of Churches. The paper also argues that the Unification Church has successfully found common ground outside religious belief on which to engage in dialogue with those outside of the movement. It concludes with an assessment of how more formal interreligious dialogue may be possible with the Unification Church in the future.


Author(s):  
Dr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane

This article retrieves the historical ecumenical endeavours of David Du Plessis – the South African who ended being an American citizen and the Assemblies of God credentialed minister. From the Afrikaans community of the Apostolic Faith Mission to the World Pentecostal Fellowship, Du Plessis laboured extensively for the acceptance of the Pentecostal and Charismatic faith into the world ecumenical formations such as World Council of Churches, mainline Protestantism and the Catholic Church. Rejected by his own denomination for ecumenical engagement, he blazed the way for the current Pentecostal ecumenical participation and ecumenism. He built the legacy that has enhanced Pentecostal and Charismatic experience and made it accommodated and understood in different ecumenical formations. The legacy he left behind includes opening doors for dialogues between Pentecostals and other Christian formations, demystifying Pentecostal fears of Christian brotherhood on a global scale, and creating some synergy between Pentecostals and nonPentecostals as the fulfilment of Christ’s desire that ‘They might be One.’ Although not a theologian, Du Plessis paved the way for theology of dialogue as a way of enforcing Christian fraternity especially in impacting communities with the love of Christ.


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