The Catholic Diocese of Arlington, according to the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism §41-44 by the Pontifical Council on the Promotion of Christian Unity, is established by the Bishop to seek greater unity among those who share one faith and one baptism in Jesus Christ (ecumenism), as well as to seek deeper understanding among people of all faiths (baptized and unbaptized, or interreligious) toward a world of mutual respect and peace.
The heart of the ecumenical movement and our search for understanding among religions which has been growing in the heart of the Church for the past one hundred years found its clear voice in the Second Vatican Council, particularly in the Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis redintegratio and the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra aetate.