Ecumenism: Principles and Practice

This page is  intended to accompany the course by the same name (T01088) at the Gregorian University, Rome .

The Ordo (university prospectus) describes the seminar as follows

A short history of the ecumenical movement will be followed by an examination of the Catholic principles of ecumenism. We will then go on to look at major strands of Christianity and some of the dialogue processes that have taken place, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and what these have achieved. We will then look at practical dimensions and of ecumenism at national, regional and above all local level. Representatives of other traditions will join us to help us in these reflections from time to time.

Resources

Introduction to and notes on the course (PDF)

The PCPCU (PDF) The text of Mgr. Mark Langham's lecture on 10th March. Also available is the Handout (PDF) which outlines the key events, functions, tasks, dates and documents

Some notes on recent developments in Catholic Orthodox dialogue (PDF). A very useful website related to this is the online version of Fr. Roberson's The Eastern Christian Churches: A Brief Survey

The WCC (PDF) - the text of Fr Gosbert Byamungu's lecture on 12th May 2009. 

Assessment Notes (PDF) - here you willl find the suggested titles and guidelines if you wish to do an elaboratum, and also a brief note on the oral exam.

Useful Websites and Online Resources 

Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity
www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/index.htm
Includes a profile of the dicastery and documentation. Also on the Vatican Website you can find Unitatis Redintegratio, Ut Unum Sint and the Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism

World Council of Churches
www.oikoumene.org

Centro Pro Unione
www.prounione.urbe.it
Includes a fairly comprehensive library of dialogue documents. The Centro Pro Unione is next to Sant’Agnese in the Piazza Navonna and has an extensive ecumenical library. Access is from the street behind the church.

Conference of European Churches
www.cec-kek.org - the key document on this site is the Charta Oecumenica

National Council of Churches USA
www.ncccusa.org Also of particular interset is the fledgling Christian Churches Together in the USA

Churhes Together in England
www.cte.org.uk

Bishops Conference of England and Wales Resources
www.catholic-ew.org.uk/resource/publications.htm
Includes a number of documents produced by the Committee for Christian Unity. Of particular note are The Search for Christian Unity  (PDF),   One Bread One Body (PDF) and the Guidelines for Catholics in Local Ecumenical Partnerships

The Association of Interchurch Families
www.interchurchfamilies.org Of particular interest is their 2003 Rome Document (PDF) which is a thoughtful reflection on some of the issues interchurch families face.

Ecumenism.net
www.ecumenism.net
An interesting Canadian site – includes a bibliography section.