Budde, Mitzi J. “Called in the One Body – and Thankful.” Ecumenical Trends 43:8 (September 2014): 122-125.
In this published speech originally presented at the Tidewater LARCUM Conference held at the Church of the Holy Apostles Episcopal-Roman Catholic parish in Virginia Beach, Virginia on June 30 2014, the Lutheran ecumenist holds up three hopeful signs of the vocation of ecumenism and analyzes two recent ecumenical documents as ways of living out that vocation glocally (i.e. globally and locally).
Clifford, Catherine E. “Journeying Together: Ecumenism in the 21st Century.” One in Christ 48:1 (2014): 2-25.
A theologian and ecumenist from St. Paul University, Ottawa examines the legacy of the Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism; traces progress in ecumenical relations between the Roman Catholic Church and its dialogue partners since, especially around Christology, justification and sacraments; discusses ecclesiological issues, especially papal primacy, collegiality, and the gifts of the laity; and reviews new developments, particularly ecumenical relations between “creedal, sacramental churches” with Evangelical and Pentecostal communities.
“Ecumenism in Action” Theme issue: Ecumenism No. 190 (Summer 2014):
- Gabauer, Pamela. “Christian Unity in Action: Why Should Christians Work Together?”: 11-13.
- Cordeiro, Brian. “Ecumenism in Montreal – From Earth to Heaven”: 14-15.
- Temmerman, Ray and Fenella. “Interchurch Couples and Families: Issues and Goals”: 16-18.
- Tonks, John. “My Journey into Religious Diversity”: 19-20.
- Beauchamp, André. “Unitas, an Ecumenical Meditation Centre”: 21.
- Larochelle, Anne. “Ecumenical Series ‘Meet Your Relatives, Grassroots Ecumenism’”: 22.
- Siliadin, Yaovi Gasséssé. “Music and Ecumenism”: 23-24.
Fuchs, Lorelei F., SA. “Reflections on the Ecumenical Way of Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC.” One in Christ 48:1 (2014): 85-95.
The death of Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC last year was a profound loss to the ecumenical community. In this article, a colleague commemorates his life’s commitment to visible unity, highlights his catholic and ecumenical methodology and contributions, and characterizes the ecumenical future as a legacy of reception and relationships of mutuality.
Harmon, Steven R. “Free Church Theology, The Pilgrim Church, and the Ecumenical Future.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:3 (Summer, 2014): 420-442.
In this adaptation from the March 2013 Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lectures on Christian Unity at the Lehigh County Pennsylvania Council of Churches, the Baptist theologian and ecumenist describes the ecclesial gifts that the free church tradition has to offer the larger church and describes a pilgrim church theology through seven theses of a Christological ecclesiological identity for a pilgrimage church, in conversation with the Christology of Baptist theologian James William McClendon, Jr.
Hughes, Richard A. “‘Make us One with Christ’: Essay on the Anglican-Methodist Dialogue.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:3 (Summer, 2014): 443-457.
The United Methodist theologian analyzes the current Episcopal-Methodist proposal for full communion, providing historical context through the theologies of John Wesley and Thomas Cranmer. Despite areas of non-convergence between the two churches (the use of wine in the Eucharist and the practice of open communion), the author finds common ground in the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer and the hymnody of Charles Wesley.
Kässmann, Margot. “Ecclesia Reformata Semper Reformanda: Challenges of the Reformation Jubilee 2017.” Ecumenical Trends 43:8 (September 2014): 113-119, 126.
The Special Envoy of the Evangelical Church in German for the Reformation Anniversary Celebration 2017 describes the themes of the Luther decade in Germany, especially the five key events of the anniversary year, and analyzes ten aspects that reflect the significance of the anniversary for church and society: 1) a critical look back; 2) ecumenism; 3) dialogue of religions; 4) concentrating on the ‘solae’ in a secular age; 5) women; 6) overcoming divisions; 7) education; 8) freedom; 9) justification; and 10) globalization.
Myers, Bruce. “A Gift Yet to Be Received: Presbyteral Confirmation and Anglican-Lutheran Relations in Canada.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:3 (Summer, 2014): 458-470.
Implementation of the full communion agreement between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada has encountered differences in the theology and practice of confirmation, which are symbolized in divergent norms over the agent of confirmation: the local pastor (Lutheran) or the diocesan bishop (Episcopal). The article urges Anglicans to receive presbyterial confirmation as a gift of the ecumenical relationship.
Ryan, Thomas, CSP. “Catholics and Evangelicals: Looking Back, Looking Forward, Assessing the Relationship.” Ecumenical Trends 43:9 (October 2014): 131-140,143.
The Director of the Paulist North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations in Washington, D.C. describes the movements shaping North American Evangelicalism, identifies three areas of common ground between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics (Scripture, the centrality of Christ, and the call to mission), describes new developments in Evangelical-Catholic relations (agreement on moral teachings, ecumenical relations through the Lausanne Conference, the World Council of Churches, the Global Christian Forum and Christian Churches Together), examines theological differences between the two traditions (authority of church and tradition, conversion and baptism, sacramental theology, the work of grace), and cites six ways in which the relationship can be “life-giving” for both traditions in the future.
Tanner, Mary. “Receiving Ecumenical Documents: The Four Rs of Reception.” One in Christ 48:1 (2014): 69-84.
In this published lecture from the Society of Ecumenical Studies, the Anglican ecumenist discusses reception as “formal response to an agreed statement; reformation of self in the mirror of the consensus and convergence of the document; recognition of others who can also recognize the faith of the Church in a document; and renewed relation on the way to full communion or closer communion” (p. 73), drawing upon the two World Council of Churches’ convergence statements Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (1982) and The Church: Towards a Common Vision (2013).
Tjørhom, Ola. “Better Together: Apostolicity and Apostolic Succession in Light of an Ecumenical Ecclesiology.” Pro Ecclesia 23:3 (Summer 2014): 282-293.
A former member of the Anglican-Lutheran Porvoo dialogue team who is now a self-described “ecumenical convert” to the Catholic Church offers twenty theses to make the Porvoo Common Statement’s ecumenical accord on apostolicity applicable beyond the Anglican-Lutheran relationship to the wider ecumenical discussion on ecclesiology, particularly focusing on the challenges it presents to the Roman Catholic tradition.
“Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes,” Theme Issue.: International Bulletin of Missionary Research 38:4 (October 2014):
- Reflections on “Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes”: 188.
- Kemper, Thomas, “The Missio Dei in Contemporary Context”: 188–90.
- Karecki, Madge, “A Missiological Reflection on ‘Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes’”: 191–92.
- Escobar, Samuel. “Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes”: 193–95.
- Bevans, Stephen B. “‘Together towards Life’: Catholic Perspectives”: 195–96.
Wood, Susan K. “Editorial: A Parable for the Ecumenical Movement Today.” Ecclesiology 10:3 (2014): 285-291.
The Roman Catholic ecumenist from Marquette University uses the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi as a parable symbolizing the relationship of kinship to be found in ecumenical dialogue. She highlights the importance of friendship, gift exchange, pilgrimage, and evidence of progress and commitment to dialogue and then discusses ecumenical challenges: misinterpreting ecumenical agreements, articulating church identity contrastively, differing judicatory structures, witnessing ecumenically to a non-Christian world, and emerging new divisions over moral issues.
Bergen, Jeremy M. “The Holy Spirit and Lived Communion from the Perspective of International Bilateral Dialogues.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:2 (Spring 2014): 193-217.
The author analyzes the “implicit ecumenical pneumatology” in the international bilateral dialogue documents published in Growth in Agreement II and III. “In particular, the dialogues discern the work of the Spirit in the practice of dialogue, wrestle with how the Spirit may have been active in or despite historical moments of division, identify the Spirit with the present work of healing memories, link the Spirit of unity with the church in mission, and reflect on the experience of koinonia/communion and reception of the gifts of the Spirit” (Abstract).
Carter, David. “Lutheran Catholic Dialogue: The 2017 Anniversary.” Ecumenical Trends 43:5 (May 2014): 65-70.
A British Methodist ecumenist summarizes the content of the document From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017 and calls for widespread study and local reception of it, along with a re-reading of Martin Luther’s theology.
“The Emerging Face of Being One: Exploring Various Models of Christian Unity”: Papers from the North American Academy of Ecumenists Conference September 2013. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:2 (Spring 2014):
- Fuchs, Lorelei F. SA. “Introduction”: 274-276.
- Luffman, Dale E. “The Emerging Face of Being One: Community of Christ’s Discernment into Ecumenical Community”: 281-284.
- Paulson, Shirley. “The Emerging Face of Being One: Discerning the Ecumenical Community from the Christian Science Church”: 285-294.
- Armstrong, John H. “The Emerging Face of Being One: Ecumenical Windows for Evangelicals”: 295-310.
- Sung, Elizabeth Y. “Fostering Theological Discernment and Ecumenical Formation: An Interseminary Model”: 311-318.
- Karstens, Jo-Ellen. “Formation in Ecumenism through Focolare”: 319-321.
- Thomas, John H. “Ecumenical Formation for the Twenty-First Century”: 322-324.
- Demetrios of Mokissos, Bishop. “The Emerging Face of Being One: Exploring Various Models of Christian Unity”: 325-332.
- Buchanan, John M. “The Christian Century: Past, Present, and Future”: 333-339.
Francis, Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. “Common Declaration of Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch.” Origins 44:5 (June 5, 2014): 73-74.
After meeting four times in three days, the pope and ecumenical patriarch made common declaration of their commitment to continue the theological dialogue with the goal of full communion while simultaneously “working together in the service of humanity, especially in defending the dignity of the human person,” and to address the sanctity of family based on marriage, poverty, and the stewardship of creation. They also pledged to work together to promote peace and to respond to the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. They called for interfaith dialogue in order to rediscover truth, justice and peace.
Leithart, Peter J. “The Future of Protestantism.” First Things No. 245 (August/September 2014): 23-27.
The president of Trinity House, Birmingham, calls for Protestantism to re-envision itself for the future as “Reformational Catholic Churches.” He bids Protestantism to die to self as a contrastive identity to Catholicism and to become instead fully part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church, offering sixteen specific characteristics of this future church, many of them ecumenical.
MacPherson, Damian, SA. “The Ecumenical Journey: Shades of Light and Darkness.” Ecumenism #189 (Spring 2014): 18-20.
The Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto identifies the Roman Catholic Decree on Ecumenism, the joint declaration of Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey and ecumenical dialogues as examples of new light, while identifying the papacy, the filoque clause, the state of Anglican orders, the ordination of women, women in the Anglican episcopate, and differences around moral questions as areas of darkness in the ecumenical movement today. He calls for prayer, perseverance, and patience for new life and light to be breathed into the movement.
Tyrrell, Wilfred, SA. “Has Christ Been Divided? Musings on Mission from a Roman Catholic Perspective.” Ecumenical Trends 43:5 (May 2014): 76-79.
This Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014 homily on I Corinthians 1:13, preached at Graymoor in New York, calls for the Church to move out as Christian missionaries guided by the Holy Spirit on a pilgrimage toward unity through interdependent ecumenical and interfaith work.
Ariarajah, S. Wesley. “Mission and Ecumenism Today: Reflections on the Tenth Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Busan, Republic of Korea.” International Bulletin of Missionary Research 38:2 (April 2014): 59-61.
The former WCC Deputy General Secretary discusses the November 2013 Busan assembly: its themes, worship life, ecumenical discussions, unity statement, mission and evangelism statement, and the host church context.
Carter, David. “Some Ecumenical Implications of Evangelii Gaudium.” Ecumenical Trends 43:3 (March 2014): 33-40, 46-47.
A Methodist explores three ways in which Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, resonates positively for ecumenism: its emphasis on mission as the call of all Christians, its openness to dialogue about the papacy as a global ministry of leadership in proclamation, and its emphasis on social justice and critique of western capitalism.
“Celebrating 50 Years of Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue” theme issue. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 49:1 (Winter 2014), section on “Intra-Christian Ecumenism”:
- Baum, Gregory. “Grateful Remembrance of Vatican Council II”: 21-24.
- Groutt, John. “The Second Vatican Council: A Memoir”: 25-36.
- Novak, Michael. “Remembering Robert McAfee Brown (1920-2001)”: 37-44.
- Loya, Joseph. “Ecumenical Houses Conjoined: J.E.S. and the North American Academy of Ecumenists”: 45-52.
- West, Charles C. “Barth, Kraemer, and Bonhoeffer on Religion: A Reflection”: 53-58.
- Winter, Miriam T. “That All May be One”: 59-64.
- Braybrooke, Marcus. “Denominational Congresses at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions”: 65-77.
- Constantelos, Demetrious J. “A Cautious Skeptic Becomes a Committed Ecumenist”: 78-84.
- Küng, Hans. “The Change in the Macro Setting of the Church”: 85-87.
Chow, Alexander. “Protestant Ecumenism and Theology in China since Edinburgh 1910.” Missiology 42:2 (April 2014): 167-180.
Protestant efforts toward Christian unity in China are described as three successive attempts: establishment of Chinese national coalitions separate from foreign denominations, the post-People’s Republic Christian Manifesto and denunciation phase, and the post-denominational phase characterized by the China Christian Council.
Dever, Mark. “A Gospel for Everyone: Global Gospel Project.” Christianity Today 58:4 (May 2014): 42-45.
The senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.) asserts that the catholicity of the church universal addresses the problems of provincialism, sectarianism, racism, and exclusivism in the church today.
Hamilton, Daniel S. “From Papacy to Primacy: 1100-1500 What Kind of Primacy Did the Roman Bishop Exercise?” Ecumenical Trends 43:4 (April 2014): 49-56, 62-63.
Fourth in a series of historical articles on the papacy that the Roman Catholic author has published in Ecumenical Trends, this essay concludes that “the denial of the historical evidence for the Petrine origin of the Roman primacy remains today a principle obstacle to reconciliation of the Eastern Orthodox Churches with the Roman See.”
“In Pursuit of Unity:” Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) in conjunction with the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, 2013. The Ecumenical Review 66:1 (March 2014):
- Chinna, Babu. “Building Bridges between Ecumenical and Evangelical Churches: A Participant’s Report”: 8-15.
- Kinnamon, Michael. “New Contours of Ecumenism: Challenges to the Next Generation”: 16-24.
- Shastri, Hermen. “The Unity of the Church in a Changing World: An Asian Perspective”: 25-31.
- Myung Hyuk Kim. “Christian Unity and Reconciliation in the Korean Context”: 32-38.
- Cosca, Rachel. “Just Unity: Toward a True Community of Women and Men in the Church”: 39-52.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014: Homilies on I Corinthians 1:13. Ecumenical Trends 43:4 (April 2014):
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- Ardrey, Ken. “That There Be No Divisions Among You”: 59-61, 63.
- Fuchs, Lorelei Francis, SA. “Has Christ Been Divided?”: 57-58, 63.
“A Busan Sampler” Theme Issue: The Ecumenical Review 65:4 (December 2013):
- “Message of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Busan 2013”: 409-410.
- Waweru, Lucy Wambui and Dissi Obanda. “North-South Unity Train: A Poem from Busan”: 411-412.
- “Public Issues Statements Adopted by the 10th Assembly”: 413-416.
- Altmann, Walter. “Report of the Moderator to the 10th Assembly of the WCC, Busan 2013”: 417-428.
- Tveit, Olav Fykse. “Report of the General Secretary to the 10th Assembly of the WCC”: 429-452.
- “God’s Gift and Call to Unity? and our Commitment”: 453-458.
- de Chickera, Duleep. “Journeying with the God of Life”: 459-463.
- Fabian, Alice and Mark MacDonald. “Unity of Creation, Humanity and the Church”: 464-470.
- Kasselouri-Hatzivassiliadi, Eleni. “Orthodox Women and Theological Education”: 471-476.
- “A Message from the Pre-Assembly Gathering of Indigenous Peoples:” 477-480.
- Coorilos, Metropolitan Geevarghese. “Together Towards Life? (TTL) Mission Towards Fullness of Life”: 481-484.
- Chang, Yoon-Jae. “Exodus to a New Earth”: 485-488.
- Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk. “The Voice of the Church must be Prophetic”: 489-496.
- Lapsley, Michael. “Christ’s Co-Workers for Justice and Peace Sermon at Closing Prayer”: 497-504.
Dunber, Susan. “Look for the Church: Reflections on ‘Towards a Common Vision.’” One in Christ 47:2 (2013): 193-209.
A member of the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission who participated in the development of The Church describes and glosses its content from a United Reformed/global North perspective, identifying and explaining places where the text might be “strange” to Reformed ears, especially around classical theology (rather than contextual theology) as the focus, the three-fold order of ministry, and the relationship of the church and sin.
Francis, Pope. “Homily at Ecumenical Prayer Service marking End of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Origins 43:36 (February 13, 2014): 589-590.
“We are all journeying together fraternally on the road toward unity, bringing about unity even as we walk; that unity comes from the Holy Spirit and brings us something unique that only the Holy Spirit can do, that is, reconciled diversity. The Lord waits for us all, accompanies us all and is with us all on this path of unity…The work of these, my predecessors [Popes John XXIII, John Paul II, and Paul VI], enabled ecumenical dialogue to become an essential dimension of the ministry of the bishop of Rome, so that today the Petrine ministry cannot be fully understood without this openness to dialogue with all believers in Christ” (p. 590).
Gintere, Sandra. “Milestones on the Road: ‘From Conflict to Communion.’” One in Christ 47:2 (2013): 226-236.
A Latvian Lutheran professor and member of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity provides a brief overview of the 500-year history of Reformation observances and discusses theological and practical pre-conditions that make a joint Protestant-Catholic observance possible for the 500th anniversary in 2017. The theological developments include Vatican II, recent Luther scholarship and the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification; the practical developments include the 1980 joint observance of the 450th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession and the 2012 agreed statement on the Reformation anniversary, From Conflict to Communion.
Goines, Beverly J. “In Memoriam: Ecumenism and the Legacy of Bishop Thomas Lanier Hoyt, Jr (1941-2013). Ecumenical Trends 43:2 (February 2014): 26-29, 31.
This obituary and tribute for Thomas Hoyt, Jr., ecumenist and bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, addresses the black church religious tradition of the 20th century and Hoy’s ecumenical vision for visible unity through common action for justice.
Hind, John. “‘That Wonderful and Sacred Mystery’: A Reflection on ‘The Church: Towards a Common Vision.’” One in Christ 47:2 (2013): 210-225.
Self-described as despondent at the present ecumenical situation, the vice-moderator of the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission calls for the churches to re-commit themselves to the goal of full visible unity, to study and respond to the WCC convergence document, The Church, and to use it as a tool for achieving deeper consensus on ecclesiological questions.
Jenson, Robert W. “The Strange Future of ‘the Ecumenical Movement.’” The Living Church (January 19, 2014): 23-24.
The co-founder of the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology laments the fractured state of the church, relegates formal ecumenical dialogue to “ancient history,” and encourages his readers to continue praying for the unity of the church and the coming of Christ’s kingdom, to cling to baptismal unity, and “after that not be too precise about further conditions of fellowship” (p. 24).
The Living Church February 9th issue includes three responses to this article:
- Barnett-Cowan, Alyson. “Larger than the West”: 20.
- Root, Michael. “Catholic Voices: Normal Ecumenism”: 21-22.
- Bauerschmidt, John C. “Catholic Voices: Return, Restoration, Recovery”: 22.
Tanner, Mary. “Staying Together on the Ecumenical Journey: A Story of Bridge-Building between East and West.” One in Christ 47:2 (2013): 257-271.
An Anglican ecumenist and member of the World Council of Churches’ Special Commission on Orthodox Concerns traces the history of Orthodox participation in the ecumenical movement and the WCC, recounts the work of the Special Commission (constituted 50% Eastern and Oriental Orthodox and 50% Western Church representatives) since 1999, and summarizes the four areas where the Commission recommends further creative thinking (the Church, social and ethical issues, the prayer life/worship of the fellowship, and consensus decision-making).
Vondey, Wolfgang. “The Unity and Diversity of Pentecostal Theology: A Brief Account for the Ecumenical Community in the West.” Ecclesiology 10 (2014): 76-100.
A professor of systematic theology at Regent Divinity School explains the theology, unity, and gifts of global Pentecostalism for the wider church. The section on Pentecostal ecclesiology and Christian unity is particularly helpful for current conversations on ecclesiology, explaining Pentecostalism as a movement grounded in social engagement, with an eschatological perspective centered in baptism of the Holy Spirit and grounded in the equality and” prophethood of all believers.” The diversities and challenges of Pentecostalism are also addressed.
Wilson, Sarah Hinlicky. “Lament for a Divided Church: Global Gospel Project.” Christianity Today 58:2 (March 2014): 36-39.
Ecumenism is explained, encouraged and gently defended in an accessible way for readers of the highest-circulation evangelical journal in this article written by a research professor from the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg. “God has called one church to be the one body of Christ; we can live in contradiction with that one church, or we can reconcile and make visible our unity in Christ” (p. 39).
“Faith, Order, and The Church.” Theme issue on “Towards a Common Vision of the Church.” The Ecumenical Review 65:3 (October 2013):
- Tanner, Mary. From Ground Breaking to Breaking New Ground (pages 330–333)
- Henn, William. Catholics, Ecclesiology and the Ecumenical Journey (pages 334–337)
- Rajkumar,Peniel Jesudason Rufus. A Prophetic, Polysemic and Proleptic Prompt (pages 338–341)
- Vasilevich,Natalia. Already but Not Yet (pages 342–344)
- Hietamäki,Minna. Walking Together in a House of Mirrors (pages 345–348)
- Fritzson,Arne. The Church and the Church: Fragile Gifts (pages 349–351)
- Link, Hans-Georg. The Lima Process: After Thirty Years (pages 352–367)
- Hietamäki, Minna. Finding Warmth in the Ecumenical Winter: A Nordic Viewpoint (pages 368–375)
- Myers, Bruce. Keeping Warm: Reception in the Ecumenical Winter (pages 376–387)
- Gibaut, John. Building Up the Body of Christ: Reflections on Ecclesiology and Ethics in the Dialogue of Faith and Order (pages 388–400)
Garrigan, Siobhán. “A New Model for Ecumenical Worship.” Studia Liturgica 43:1 (2013): 32-53.
A proposal for a local group of parishioners from various churches to take turns visiting each other’s worship services, alternating in the roles of “host” and “guest” [author’s terms], developed out of the experience of the chapel rota of denominational services at Yale Divinity School. The author suggests two key guidelines: 1) for worship leaders: “lead from within your own tradition, but open it up in order to invite others to pray/praise with you” and 2) for worship attendees: “come often, and do not ever do anything you do not want to” (p. 43).
Kinnamon, Michael. “New Contours of Ecumenism in the 21st Century.” Ecumenical Trends 42:11 (December 2013): 171-175.
This paper, delivered by a veteran ecumenist at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches to the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, identifies four generally-agreed needs (the need to expand the number of ecumenically-engaged churches, the need for a new generation of ecumenical leaders, the need to strengthen the connection between global and local ecumenism, and the need to reconceive ecumenical structures) and then presses three questions of the ecumenical movement: 1) is the goal/vision still visible unity; 2) is the movement too ideological; and 3) does the movement trust God’s leading.
Lim, Timothy T. N. “A Tribute to an Ecumenist and Lay Theologian: Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC (1938-2013). The Journal of Ecumenical Studies 48:4 (Fall 2013): 535-570.
One of Brother Jeff’s students reviews Jeff’s contributions to ecumenical education, official dialogues, and ecclesiology and concludes with “essential lessons he might have shared to orient aspiring ecumenists” (p. 536).
Loughran, James, SA. “World Council of Churches 10th Assembly.” Ecumenical Trends 42:11 (December 2013): 165-170.
The editor of Ecumenical Trends reports on the WCC General Assembly (held October 30 – November 8, 2013 in Busan, Korea): its themes, actions, statements, affirmations, and tone.
“The Reims Statement: Praying with One Voice: On Common Texts and Lectionary in the Life of the Churches.” Studia Liturgica 43:1 (2013): 189-92.
This colloquium statement, sponsored by the English Language Liturgical Consultation August 16, 2011 and signed by twenty-one liturgical scholars, invites “all who have not yet explored these [common] texts, and those who have departed from their use, to join us in prayerful reflection on the value of common texts and careful consideration of the texts themselves;” encourages continuing scholarship on liturgical texts, symbols, and ordo; and commends continuing promotion and use of the revised common lectionary in church life.
Ryan, Thomas. “The WCC 10th General Assembly.” Ecumenism #188 (Winter 2014): 22-28.
The Director of the Paulist North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations summarizes the recent (October 30-November 8, 2013) World Council of Churches’ assembly: the elements of the assembly, the theme, the moderator’s report, highlights (youth and seminarian participation), “lowlight” (the missed opportunity to feature the new convergence document, The Church), and the assembly’s final public statements.
“Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Theme Issue: Ecumenism #188 (Winter 2014):
- Bolen, Don. “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014: The making-of”: 7-8.
- Belzile, Michel. “Has Christ Been Divided?”: 9-10.
- Beardsall, Sandra. “Reflections on Preparing the Ecumenical Prayer Service”: 11-12.
- Wilson, John. “A Short Reflection on my Experience”: 13-14.
- Jesson, Nicholas. “The Canadian Gift for Ecumenical Relations”: 15-16.
- Lévesque, Norman. “Highlights of the Ecumenical Service 2014”: 16-17.
- Currie, Amanda. “Singing Together for Unity”: 18-19.
- Mackey, Paul. “Five Days of Christian Prayer in Québec City”: 20-21.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014: “Has Christ Been Divided?”: Preaching Material on the 2014 Week of Prayer Theme:
- George, Timothy. “The Church of the Undivided Christ.” Ecumenical Trends 42:11 (December 2013): 161-164, 175.
- Hennessee,Paul Teresa, SA. “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Homily.” Ecumenical Trends 43:1 (January 2014): 11-13.