Ecumenism as a Communication Process
By Frances Forde Plude
We have reflected on consensus-building, citing its importance in parishes, in our public conversations, and especially our ecumenical work. Here Suzanne and I would like to expand upon other communication issues folded within ecumenism.
I admit that I see communication as an integral part of almost all natural (and supernatural) activities. It should come as no surprise that, for me, the ecumenical process is, essentially, a communication process.
In Origins (November 9, 1995), Father John Hotchkin identified three stages of ecumenical activity. The first was the pioneering and organizational stage beginning in 1910. At this point councils of churches were established and various types of ecumenisms were tried.
The Stage of Dialogue
Hotchkin calls the second stage of ecumenism the stage of dialogue. He notes during this stage “the more advanced method of dialogue enabled theologians to delve directly into the areas where Christians found themselves in the greatest disagreements and (then) to recontextualize these (disagreements) with a heightened sense of their historical origins and developments.” All this dialogical work led to the third period – phased reconciliation.
Obviously, much systematic constructive dialogue about difficult issues has generated the ecumenical breakthroughs that have occurred. In the papal document Ut Unum Sint, Pope John Paul II mentioned seven different types of dialogue, including dialogue of consciences, multilateral dialogue, and theological dialogue.
New Theological Contexts
Several other theological emphases arose during ecumenical dialogue. Conversations were held in the context of Karl Rahner’s World Church – “a church now genuinely multicultural and no longer simply the product of Semitic and Graeco-Roman conceptual traditions.”
Another theologian, Bernard Lonergan, had cited the shift from a classicist worldview to historical mindedness in the church. Vatican II affirmed that “there is a growth in the understanding in the Church of the realities and the words which have been handed down.” Historical development helps the church become a learner as well as a teacher.
A third dynamic within the dialogue is the theology of reception – the process of the acceptance of church teaching (or sometimes the lack of wide acceptance). All of this is tied to a theology of the local church, to a vision of the church as a communion of churches, and to a theology that sees tradition with a dynamic ongoing character. What can your local congregation do?
By Suzanne Nelson
The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (DAPNE), 1993, gives us a practical outline of many facets of ecumenism; this document, available on the internet, can be a kind of checklist for pastoral practice. I will refer to several sections recalling principles and practices to help ecumenism work on the pastoral level.
In catechesis “…a special effort should be made to ensure that the Christian message is presented in a way that highlights the unity of faith that exists among Christians about fundamental matters, while at the same time explaining the divisions that do exist and the steps that are being taken to overcome them,” #190. See also the General Directory for Catechesis, Congregation for the Clergy, 1998, #197-198.
An idea… Why not arrange a one-day pilgrimage to several churches of other Christian traditions? Ask their ministers to speak to your group about their basic beliefs, worship, and code of conduct. When I tried this with eighth graders, we visited the Orthodox, Baptist, and Methodist churches. The dialogue with the ministers and the following day’s religion class were exiting and enlightening.
The Directory refers to marriage between a Catholic and a baptized Christian as a ‘mixed marriage’ though many dioceses use the term ‘interchurch marriage.’ The document adds, “mutual consultation between Christian pastors for supporting such marriages and upholding their values can be a fruitful field of ecumenical collaboration,” # 147.
An idea… In the initial interview for marriage preparation, do not take it for granted that the couple knows there are many ways we can work together in planning the wedding to honor the faith traditions of both parties. Tell them. Be familiar with the regulations in your diocese. Know the name and phone number of your diocesan ecumenical officer. Also, give the couple some suggestions for living out their marriage respecting both faiths.
Finally, The Directory states it is the task of every parish “to educate its members in the ecumenical spirit. This calls for a pastoral program which involves someone charged with promoting and planning ecumenical activity,” #67.
An idea… Ministers themselves can grow in this spirit by participating in Ministerial Associations. I belong to Women in Ministry, a group that meets monthly for lunch, dialogue, and mutual support.
This planning document will start you thinking about hundreds of other ecumenical ideas. The key is getting into the spirit of ecumenism, realizing that Christ himself has communicated to us, inviting us to this adventure in love, caring for all the household of the faith.