News in Ecumenism

Sunak is obviously the first British PM not to be at least culturally Christian

Sunak is obviously the first British PM not to be at least culturally Christian

by: Melanie McDonagh - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

The approved response to Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister is – regardless of how you regard his party – that it is a proud day for British Asians. That was the approach taken by Nicola Sturgeon for the Scottish nationalists before retuning to party politics. It is indeed a proud moment for the Indian community – though it turns out that his paternal grandfather was from presentday Pakistan, while his parents came from Kenya – and its ethos of hard work and commitment to family.

Lambeth Conference 2022: The effort of walking together

Lambeth Conference 2022: The effort of walking together

by: Paolo Gamberini, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Ecumenism,

From July 26 to August 8, 2022, the 15th Lambeth Conference took place at the University of Kent (England). More than 650 Anglican bishops, together with their spouses, representing about 165 countries and about 85 million faithful, gathered near the historic seat of Anglicanism, Canterbury Cathedral, with the intention of responding to the challenges that the local circumstances of the 42 provincial churches of the Communion pose to Christian faith and witness in the 21st century.

 
Elizabeth, the last 'Defender of the Faith'

Elizabeth, the last 'Defender of the Faith'

by: John Dayal - UCANews in Ecumenism,

Charles, the new King of England, had once made it clear that he did not want to be called defender of the faith. The “Queen of England And All Her Realms” dies as a much-loved grandmother, who provided some ephemeral sense of continuity in a rapidly changing world of the 20th Century and the first two decades of the 21st.Her life reflected the buffeting of her land and her people through a devastating world war, acute depression, rebuilding, and loss of income from the vast commonwealth. In an ironic rebounding tsunami, one among a wave of refugees almost became the last prime minister of her long, very long reign.

Kirill should condemn Russia war, says Cardinal

Kirill should condemn Russia war, says Cardinal

by: Patrick Hudson - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

The Archbishop of Westminster has distanced himself from the Vatican’s attempts to sustain dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church during the war in Ukraine. Speaking to the Religion Media Centre, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said that there was “a scandal attached to that refusal not just to condemn, but even to stop supporting the Russian military effort” on the part of Patriarch Kirill and the Moscow hierarchy.

Orthodox priests call for patriarchs to depose Kirill

Orthodox priests call for patriarchs to depose Kirill

by: Patrick Hudson - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

“We clearly state that we can’t continue to remain in any form of canonical subordination to the Moscow patriarch.” More than 300 priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have signed a petition to the Council of Eastern Patriarchs asking it to put Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on trial.

The petition accuses Kirill of heresy in preaching the “Russian world” ideology, and of moral crimes in blessing Russian troops and their invasion of Ukraine. It calls on the primates of the local Orthodox Churches to subject him to an international ecclesiastical tribunal.

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021): Spirituality, Revolution and Reconciliation

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021): Spirituality, Revolution and Reconciliation

by: Anthony Egan, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Ecumenism,

The passing of former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town,  Desmond Tutu, on December 26, 2021, marks another milestone in the history of the ecumenical “Church Struggle” against apartheid in South Africa. This era, starting somewhere in the late 1950s and gaining momentum in the 1960s, reaching its peak in the heady days of the 1980s as a broad coalition of community organizations, trade unions and religious organizations came together, broadly working in parallel.

Expel Russian Orthodox from WCC says Rowan Williams

Expel Russian Orthodox from WCC says Rowan Williams

by: Patrick Hudson - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

 There is a strong case for expelling the Russian Orthodox Church from the World Council of Churches, Rowan Williams has said. “When a Church is actively supporting a war of aggression, failing to condemn nakedly obvious breaches of any kind of ethical conduct in wartime, then other Churches do have the right to raise the question.”

European ecumenical chief urges Kirill to condemn invasion

European ecumenical chief urges Kirill to condemn invasion

by: Xavier Le Normand - La Croix International in Ecumenism,

The Reverend Christian Krieger is convinced that the Christian Churches and communities across Europe should be speaking out and challenging the Moscow Patriarchate to take a firm stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "The ideology pursued by the Russian president is fully reflected in some of Patriarch Kirill's statements," says Krieger, a 58-year-old French Reformed theologian."I wanted to remind (the patriarch) that Christian identity is beyond our national and cultural identities," he says.

The People of God as Temple

The People of God as Temple

by: Joaquín Ciervide, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Ecumenism,

Should one seek God in solitude or in human relationships? It is widely accepted that both ways are valid. With regard to solitude, think of the anchorites of the  early Christian era; with regard to human relationships, think of the worker priests of the 20th century. Or we can think of St. Thérèse of Lisieux as a model for contemplation and St. Francis Xavier as a model for action.

Anglican Centre in Rome launches appeal for funds

Anglican Centre in Rome launches appeal for funds

by: Christopher Lamb - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

The Doria Pamphilj family have generously housed the Centre since it was founded in 1966. In pre-pandemic times, the Centre was a meeting point for Catholic and Anglican leaders, and hosted regular events and informal dialogue. But the last few months have been the toughest time yet for the Centre, and it has launched an urgent appeal for funds.

A failed transfer of leadership at the Monastery of Bose

A failed transfer of leadership at the Monastery of Bose

by: Xavier Le Normand - La Croix Internationale in Ecumenism,

What in the world is going on in Magnano?This peaceful hamlet in the northern Italian region of Piedmont is home to the Monastery of Bose.This mixed community of men and women was founded in 1965 by Catholic layman Enzo Bianchi.

Hans Küng dies aged 93

Hans Küng dies aged 93

by: Christopher Lamb - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

Fr Hans Küng, who was one of the most influential and prophetic voices of 20th century Christianity, has died aged 93. The Swiss theologian helped lay the groundwork for the Second Vatican Council. He was a pioneer in the field of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. 

Pope 'very saddened' about Hagia Sophia mosque decision

Pope 'very saddened' about Hagia Sophia mosque decision

by: Christopher Lamb , Jonathan Luxmoore - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

Pope Francis has described himself as “very saddened” about Turkey’s planned reconversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque. Other church leaders have also criticised the decision.

A priest's memoir of a Muslim parent

A priest's memoir of a Muslim parent

by: Kamran Chaudhry - CNA Lahore in Ecumenism,

Father Abid Habib recalls the sacrifice his father made in allowing him to become a Catholic. He followed Muslim funeral traditions after the death of his father. Ahmed's six Catholic children prayed silently as Muslim relatives recited tasbih at Rasm-e-Qul, the three-day congregational prayers.

Pope shares 'impatience' for Christian unity

Pope shares 'impatience' for Christian unity

by: Ruth Gledhill - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

Pope Francis has said he shares the “impatience” of those eager to see full visible unity among the Christian churches. In a letter to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, on the 25th anniversary the encyclical Ut Unum Sint, Pope Francis said St John Paul II had wanted the Church to be “ever mindful of the heartfelt prayer of her Teacher and Lord” that all may be one.

Saint John Henry Newman: Faith, Holiness and Imagination

Saint John Henry Newman: Faith, Holiness and Imagination

by: Nicolas Steeves, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Ecumenism,

Newman’s holiness calls for a “broadening of the mind,” a use of the imagination that is also truly Christian. It requires being imaginative. Newman’s holiness therefore comes into contact with our imagination at various levels. This article will try to briefly show some of them, to awaken today our faith in Christ.

On the trail of St John Henry Newman

On the trail of St John Henry Newman

by: Bernadette Kehoe - The Tablet in Ecumenism,
The stained glass window at Oriel College, Oxford, depicting Newman with extracts from his work. The pilgrim path to the places that shaped St John Henry Newman: Trinity College, Oxford - Oriel College, Oxford - Holy Trinity Church, Over Worton - The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford - St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Littlemore - The College, Littlemore - Maryvale, Old Oscott, Birmingham
Lead us, kindly light, into community and communion

Lead us, kindly light, into community and communion

by: Robin Gibbons - The Tablet in Ecumenism,

Canon Robin Gibbons preached at the special Newman Matins held at Christ Church, Oxford on the day of the canonisation of St John Henry Newman in Rome. In many ways this was an historic moment, a recognition by the Anglican community of their receptivity and love of one who did so much for Anglicanism but also who is bringing the two churches closer together.