Why Study Ecumenism

Why Ecumenism?

A multitude of voices, coming from all Christian traditions, speak to the desperate need for unity and union among the people of God.

It is best to let the voices speak for themselves:

His Holiness Pope John Paul II:
“The commitment to ecumenism is of primary importance for the Christian. [...] Jesus prayed at the Last Supper for the unity of his Disciples, with heartfelt intensity: 'as you, Father are in me, and I in you, I pray that they may be [one] in us, that the world may believe that you sent me' (Jn 17:21)”

Father John Meyendorff, Orthodox intellectual and former Dean of St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary (1926-1992):
"Why then participate [in ecumenism]? The answer to this question is simple: the mission of the Church requires it. As Orthodox we have no right to ignore the world around us; this world requires our presence and our voice wherever it can be heard, precisely because our message is unique and because the Church is the guardian of a universal Truth.” (Picture: old.svots.edu)

Dietrich Bonhoeffoer (1906-1945):
“Who will call us to peace so that the world will hear, will have to hear, so that all peoples may rejoice...? Only the one great ecumenical council of the holy church of Christ over all the world can speak out so that the world, though it gnash its, teeth, will have to hear...” (Picture: frenzeysbuecherbord.de)