Parish Ecumenical and Interreligious Representatives (PEIR)

What is a PEIR? 

A PEIR is an a volunteer delegated by his/her pastor to assist the work of the Office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs as an ambassador of the Catholic Church. A PEIR should have skills building relationships and have desire for this work.  E.xpertise in communication, organization, and social media is icing on the cake.

What does a PEIR do? 

• encourage and respond to local ecumenical or interreligious needs
• organize and host ecumenical or interreligious events
• work collaboratively with other communities regarding ongoing ecumenical or interreligious concerns or events

“The commitment to unity among Christians is not the work of a few only, nor is it an incidental undertaking for the life of the Church. Each one of us is called to make his or her contribution towards the completion of those steps that lead to full communion among the disciples of Christ, without ever forgetting that this unity is above all a gift from God to be constantly invoked. In fact, the force that supports both unity and the mission flows from the fruitful encounter with the Risen One, just as was the case for St Paul on the road to Damascus, and for the Eleven and the other disciples gathered at Jerusalem."

- His Holiness Benedict XVI, January 29, 2010 at the Papal Address at the Close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “We Must From Now On Give a Common Witness”