Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs - About the Program 1440x420

About the Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Program

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.

 

FAQs

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What is ecumenism and interreligious engagement? 

Ecumenism is the work that unites Christians of all traditions.

Interreligious engagement promotes unity and love among men and women from many faith & non-faith traditions.

What is interreligious or ecumenical dialogue? 

Dialogue of Life
This involves people striving to live in an open and neighborly spirit, to share their joys and sorrows, as well as their human problems and preoccupations.

Dialogue of Action
This involves Christians and followers of other religions applying their particular religious insights to collaborate in service of human development and social justice.

Dialogue of Theological Exchange
This involves specialists seeking to deepen understanding of other religious heritages.

Dialogue of Religious Experience
This involves persons grounded in their own religious traditions sharing their spiritual riches.

From the document Dialogue & Proclamation

What does the Catholic Church say about non-Catholic Christians? 

In General

"The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only."

Orthodox Christianity
"It must not be forgotten that from the beginning the Churches of the East have had a treasury from which the Western Church has drawn extensively - in liturgical practice, spiritual tradition, and law. Nor must we undervalue the fact that it was the ecumenical councils held in the East that defined the basic dogmas of the Christian faith..."

Protestant Christianity
"We rejoice to see that our separated brothers and sisters look to Christ as the source and center of Church unity. Their longing for union with Christ inspires them to seek an ever closer unity, and also to bear witness to their faith among the peoples of the earth. A love and reverence of Sacred Scripture which might be described as devotion, leads our brethren to a constant meditative study of the sacred text. For the Gospel 'is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and then to the Greek.'" (Romans 1:16)

Quotations from The Second Vatican Council Decree on Ecumenism

What does the Catholic Church say about other religious traditions?

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life." Following are quotations from The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions or Nostra Aetate.

Judaism
"God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; He does not repent of the gifts He makes or of the calls He issues."

Islam
"The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees..."

Hinduism
"In Hinduism, men contemplate the divine mystery and express it through an inexhaustible abundance of myths and through searching philosophical inquiry. They seek freedom from the anguish of our human condition either through ascetical practices or profound meditation or a flight to God with love and trust."

Buddhism
"Buddhism, in its various forms, realizes the radical insufficiency of this changeable world; it teaches a way by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, may be able either to acquire the state of perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination.

As clergy, how do I engage in dialogue?

Our office coordinates a number of events that facilitate interreligious or ecumenical engagement. Clergy are welcome to participate in local dialogues with various communities. All are encouraged to reach out to congregations near your parish, which might be potential dialogue partners or partners in service to the community.

As a lay person, how do I engage in dialogue?

Our office hosts a number of events that facilitate interreligious and ecumenical engagement. We also have a program for Parish Ecumenical and Interreligious Representatives (PEIRs). If you are interested in becoming a parish representative, contact your pastor, or Fr. Don at frdonrooney@stbernpar.org or 703-451-8576. 

What dialogues are happening locally?