The impulse of God ’s grace PASTORAL LETTER ON THE CENTENARY OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT 2010 In 1910, over 1000 delegates gathered in Edinburgh for a World Missionary Conference. Most of the delegates were from Britain or the United States. They came together to co-ordinate and mobilize a great missionary outreach to the non-Christian world. The Conference brought together representatives of Protestant and Anglican Missionary Societies, and was the latest moment in a great evangelical revival among Protestants which had been taking place for well over a century. However, not only did the Edinburgh conference give new impetus to the missionary efforts of Protestant Christians, it is also recognized as the beginning of the modern ecumenical movement. It became clearer than ever before to those gathered in Edinburgh that churches and ecclesial communities needed to deal with their divisions if they were to be an effective voice proclaiming the of Christ to non-Christians. Because of this, the Faith and Order movement, which drew Christians into theological dialogue, was inaugurated. With the Life and Work movement it eventually led to the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948. The Edinburgh Conference was also one of the events which galvanized the many young people who later became pioneers in the ecumenical movement.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Benedict XVI

This year we celebrate the centenary the beginning and end of life, the of that conference and therefore limits of science and technology, of the beginning of the modern the dialogue with other religious ecumenical movement. In his homily traditions. There are also other for the Feast of the Conversion of St areas in which we must from Paul on 25 January, Pope Benedict now on give a common witness: XVI recalled this event and indicated the safeguard of Creation, the its significance for us: promotion of the common good and of peace, the defense of the Now a century after the Edinburgh centrality of the human person, event, the intuition of those the commitment to overcome the courageous precursors is still shortcomings of our time, such as very timely. In a world marked by hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the religious indifference, and even unequal distribution of goods. by a growing aversion to the Christian faith, it is necessary to The commitment to unity among discover a new, intense method Christians is not the work of a of evangelization, not only few only, nor is it an incidental among the peoples who have undertaking for the life of the never known the Gospel but also . Each one of us is called among those where Christianity to make his or her contribution has spread and is part of their towards the completion of those history. Unfortunately, the issues steps that lead to full communion that separate us from each other among the disciples of Christ, are many, and we hope that they without ever forgetting that this can be resolved through prayer unity is above all a gift from God and dialogue. There is, however, a to be constantly invoked.1 core of the Christian message that These hopes and challenges we can all proclaim together: the articulated by Pope Benedict XVI fatherhood of God, the victory of are the hopes and challenges facing Christ over sin and death with his the in Australia Cross and Resurrection, and faith and the Australian Catholic Bishops in the transforming action of the Conference is committed to Spirit. addressing them. While we journey toward full communion, we are called to offer 1“Communion of Christ’s disciples a condition a common witness in the face of effective witness”, L’Osservatore Romano 43:4 of the ever increasingly complex (2129), 27 January 2010, pp 11-12. challenges of our time, such as secularization and indifference, relativism and hedonism, the delicate ethical issues concerning

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 The Second The Catholic Church Vatican Council

The Catholic Church did not Moreover, Fr of Lyons, Then, on 21 November 1964, the participate in the Edinburgh France, reshaped the earlier Octave bishops of the Second Vatican Conference, but this did not mean it of Prayer for the Unity of Christians Council voted for a Decree on was not concerned about divisions begun by Fr Paul Wattson s.a. so , . In among Christians. Already in 1895, that it became from 1935 onwards a its opening paragraph it described Pope Leo XIII had urged Catholics prayer which all Christians could pray, how in recent times God had begun to pray for Christian Unity in the and the Week of Prayer for Christian to “bestow more generously upon week from Ascension to Pentecost, Unity as we know it began. One who divided Christians, remorse over and in 1909, endorsed heard Fr Couturier’s call to prayer was their divisions and longing for unity. an Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Blessed , Everywhere large numbers have Christians to be held each January a young Sardinian woman who felt the impulse of this grace, and which had commenced only the year entered a Trappist Monastery outside among our separated brethren also before through the initiatives of Fr in 1935. She dedicated her life there increases from day to day a Paul Wattson s.a., as a prayer for the to praying for the unity of Christians movement, fostered by the grace reunion of Christians with Rome. and died in 1939. She was beatified of the Holy Spirit for the restoration by Pope John Paul II in 1983. It is of unity among all Christians. Taking Because there was very little hoped she will be the first of the part in this movement, which contact between Catholics and modern ecumenical movement. is called ecumenical, are those other Christians in that period, and who invoke the Triune God and sometimes hostility, they were not Fr Jan Willebrands was also involved confess as Lord and Saviour.” ready to collaborate in spreading the in ecumenical contacts with The promulgation of this Decree gospel to the world, or for Catholics Protestants in Holland after the marked the official entry of the even to participate in a meeting Second World War. It was to Cardinal Catholic Church into this ecumenical such as that of Edinburgh 1910. Augustin Bea sj and to him that Pope movement which the Council Fathers But informal conversations were John XXIII entrusted the formation had acknowledged as a work of the taking place between Catholics of the Secretariat for Promoting Holy Spirit. and other Christians in various Christian Unity and the invitation to European countries, the most other Christians to attend the Second celebrated of which were the Malines Vatican Council as observers. As Conversations (1921-1925) between Cardinal Willebrands, he would follow some Catholics and some members Cardinal Bea as head of what would of the which were become the Pontifical Council for supported by Cardinal Mercier of Promoting Christian Unity. Malines, Belgium.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 The Church in Australia

Since then the Catholic Church has The bishops of this country are very Catholic Principles increased its commitment year by grateful to priests, religious and year, and is involved in every country parishioners in parishes throughout of Ecumenism in ecumenical relations. In Australia, the country who have taken the the Catholic Bishops Conference ecumenical call to heart and now established a Bishops Committee take ecumenical cooperation for The Decree on Ecumenism and for Ecumenism and archdioceses granted. To assist them in their Directories published by the and established their own ecumenical work the Commission Secretariat and later Pontifical commissions. The bishops also for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Council for Promoting Christian organized biennial conferences for Relations of the Bishops Conference Unity, have given guidelines the formation of these commissions is intending to prepare practical for Catholic involvement in which continue to today. guidelines specifically for parish level the ecumenical movement. ecumenical activity. The Decree on Ecumenism The most obvious fruits of the Decree spoke of “Catholic Principles on Ecumenism and the initiatives Australians have been invited by the on Ecumenism.” Each Christian of the Bishops Conference are Pontifical Council to participate in community has its own unique the very friendly and cooperative international dialogues and they still understanding of the unity relationships between Catholics and take part in a number of dialogues of the Church, the nature of other Christians that have developed today. The first participants were division, and what is required on a parish level right around the Bishop Heather (Baptist- for the restoration of unity. country. Perhaps Australia was more Catholic Dialogue, 1984-1988) and Consequently, there are ready for the ecumenical movement Fr John Thornhill sm (Anglican- many different approaches to than other countries. Sectarianism Catholic Dialogue 1983-1990). Other ecumenism. Over the decades, was already breaking down and early participants and ecumenical Church leaders and theologians Australians by nature prefer to be pioneers have since died: Bishop have worked very hard to try friends rather than enemies of their Bernard Wallace (Anglican- Catholic to forge a common vision of neighbours. Catholics soon came Dialogue, 1986-1988), Fr Peter Cross the goal of the ecumenical to know other Christians as friends. (Anglican-Catholic Dialogue 1991- movement and much has been They began to be at home in their 2004) and Ms Denise Sullivan (Joint achieved. At the same time, churches. They came to pray with Working Group 1999-2000). Finally, because of some fundamental them on special occasions and in an Australian, Cardinal Idris Edward differences, it is important that times of crisis. They now work with Cassidy, was appointed by Pope John Catholics understand their own other Christians on local ecumenical Paul II as President of the Pontifical approach to the ecumenical projects and are members of local Council for Promoting Christian Unity movement in which we ecumenical councils. The late Mgr in 1989, a role he fulfilled with great participate with so many other Richard Stewart, a former staff- distinction until 2001. Christians. member of the Pontifical Council, commented after a lecture tour of There are four fundamental Australia that no country would ways in which we take part in surpass the level of ecumenical the ecumenical movement: cooperation in Australia. conversion, prayer, dialogue and co-operation.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Conversion

The first fundamental way as outlined Christian unity is possible, in the Decree on Ecumenism provided that we are humbly may take some by surprise. It says conscious of having sinned quite simply that there “can be no against unity and are convinced of ecumenism worthy of the name our need for conversion. Not only without a change of heart” (n. 7). It personal sins must be forgiven goes on to say: and left behind, but also social sins, which is to say the sinful All the faithful should remember “structures” themselves which that the more effort they make to have contributed and can still live holier lives according to the contribute to division and to the Gospel, the better will they further reinforcing of division (n. 34). Christian unity and put it into practice. For the closer their union He made clear that reform of the with the Father, the Word and the Church community as a whole and Spirit, the more deeply and easily not just of individuals was needed: will they be able to grow in mutual The Council calls for personal brotherly love (n. 7). conversion as well as for One of the fundamental insights of communal conversion. The desire the ecumenical movement is that of every Christian Community for the closer individual Christians and unity goes hand in hand with its Christian communities come to fidelity to the Gospel (n. 15). Christ, the closer they will come to By engaging in frank dialogue, each other, because he is the bond Communities help one another between them. to look at themselves together in Conversion involves not just personal the light of the Apostolic Tradition. conversion but working for the This leads them to ask themselves renewal of each of the Christian whether they truly express in an communities themselves. The adequate way all that the Holy more we renew or reform not only Spirit has transmitted through the ourselves and our way of life, but Apostles (n. 16). also our relationships and even our structures, the more we will see the Church of Jesus Christ manifest in each other and be eager for unity with each other. Pope John Paul II wrote concerning the need for repentance in his letter devoted to ecumenism, Ut Unum Sint, in 1995:

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Spiritual Ecumenism

The second fundamental way is Consequently, we are forced, as we The Week of Prayer for Christian usually called “spiritual ecumenism” as so often are as followers of Christ, Unity each year is the most obvious it was by the to recognize that we must depend occasion, when Christians pray in its Decree on Ecumenism: upon the grace of God to move together for unity. Because of a loss forward. Our prayer for the gift of of interest in ecumenism over the “This change of heart and holiness Christian unity must intensify if past decade or more, the Week of of life, along with public and anything further of real significance Prayer is not being celebrated with private prayer for the unity of is to be attained. In the Gospel of St the same intensity it was in the first Christians, should be regarded as John 17:21-23, one reads the prayer decades after the end of the Second the soul of the whole Ecumenical of Jesus on the night before he died: Vatican Council. We need to restore Movement, and merits the name, our enthusiasm for ecumenical prayer ‘spiritual ecumenism’”(n. 8). Father, may they be one in us, as and even simply own our prayer for you are in me and I am in you, so This is increasingly being recognized Christian unity. Without that prayer that the world may believe it was as a somewhat neglected aspect we cannot expect to receive the gift you who sent me. The glory that of the ecumenical movement, but from God of the restoration of the you have given me I have given one which in fact is the surest way complete unity of the Church that them, so that they may be one, forward in this present age.2 Some Christ wills. as we are one, I in them and you speak today of a slowing down in me, that they may become 2 of the ecumenical movement, See Cardinal , A Handbook of completely one, so that the world because the gains that were Spiritual Ecumenism. New York, New City Press, may know that you have sent me, 2007. achieved in the first decades of and you have loved them even as our ecumenical engagement have you have loved me. become an ordinary part of church life and people are not aware of This prayer of Christ is both the other significant advances. In fact, inspiration and the foundation of there have been such advances the ecumenical movement. Because through our ecumenical dialogues, all Christians are one with Christ but news of these achievements is through their baptism and faith, his only shared throughout the whole prayer ought find an echo in their Church with considerable difficulty. hearts. We pray in Christ that we However, it is true to say that we have may receive the gift of being one, reached a plateau in our ecumenical which comes from the Triune God. engagement. What was possible to Ecumenism is a work of the Spirit achieve quickly, we have achieved. drawing us into the unity in Christ The next steps will be much harder willed by the Father who sent him; because the issues to be dealt with and this unity is essential, as the are not as simple as those of the past. Edinburgh Conference recognized, if the world is to believe that it is the Father who sent him and so come to believe in the revelation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Dialogue Co-operation

Alongside conversion and prayer Last year a new publication, Finally, the Decree on Ecumenism a third fundamental way of our Harvesting the Fruits,4 was launched encouraged Catholics to cooperate ecumenical engagement is in Rome and became the topic of with other Christians in service of ecumenical dialogue. This can a symposium in February of this humanity in all the areas of human happen at many levels, and indeed year involving Anglican, Reformed, need. This fourth fundamental way must occur on the local level as Methodist and Lutheran theologians of ecumenism probably happens well as at the highest levels of our with the staff of the Pontifical Council more on the loval level than on the international and national dialogues. for Promoting Christian Unity. It national or international level. At the The Catholic Church is engaged in draws together the results of four same time, Catholic agencies and fifteen international dialogues and major Western bi-lateral dialogues in communities are encouraged to three national dialogues, with the a way that illustrates very profoundly come together wherever possible Anglican Church, the Uniting Church the quite dramatic achievements with other Christians, nationally, and the Lutheran Church. These of these dialogues over the past and in their dioceses and parishes dialogues have been much more forty years, and thereby indicates to deal with all the issues listed fruitful than many realize. that a new foundation for further by Pope Benedict XVI in recalling ecumenical dialogue has been the centenary of the Edinburgh The signing of the Joint Declaration achieved. Conference. on the Doctrine of Justification in Augsburg in 1999 was the fruit of In Australia, the three official In Australia we take for granted forty years of ecumenical dialogue dialogues in which the Catholic the membership of our dioceses between Catholics and Lutherans, Church is engaged with the Anglican, in State Councils of Churches and both on the international level Uniting and Lutheran Churches, have the National Council of Churches in and in many countries around the produced important reports well- Australia. These are very important world, including Australia.3 This deserving of much wider reception instruments assisting ecumenical theological issue which was at the by the Catholic community.5 co-operation. Similarly, bishops very heart of the theological debates at However, if Christians do not come often are involved in groupings the time of the is now together on a local level for programs of Heads of Churches, either in recognized as no longer needing to of discussion about their different their own regions or on state and divide the churches. Even though approaches to the apostolic faith or national levels; and priests are our understandings of “justification” the Church or to spirituality, all the often involved in local councils are very different, we do not need achievements on the highest level or groups of ministers of local to believe that our partner in of dialogue will not be received churches. The bishops of Australia dialogue as represented in this Joint ultimately on the grass-roots because recommit themselves to this level of Declaration is teaching a doctrine people will be unprepared for them. ecumenical co-operation. that contradicts the gospel of Christ. 3 The World Methodist Council affirmed the Joint Declaration in 2006. 4 Cardinal Walter Kasper, Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue. London, Continuum, 2009. 5 www.catholic.org.au See the page of the Bishops Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Ecumenism as a Dimension of Catholic Life

Pope John Paul II outlined his Because other Christians are related We have not always adequately understanding of ecumenism in his to us in Christ, everything we do is, acknowledged this deeper address to the in 1985 in a sense, connected to them. The relationship that has developed. We when he said: most obvious and first example of can sometimes continue to live our this would be the Second Vatican Catholic lives as if there has not been The search for unity and Council itself where there were a great change in our relationships, ecumenical concern are a Observers from other Christian and that our level of communion necessary dimension of the whole Churches. They observed what we with each other had not grown of the Church’s life. Everything can were doing and so were ready for and deepened because of the and must contribute to it. I have the changes that occurred in the life ecumenical movement. This change already asked on more than one of our Church. But they were also often fails to affect the way we live occasion that the re-establishment consulted throughout the processes and carry out our ordinary Christian of unity among all Christians must of the Council through the Secretariat lives, particularly the way our parishes be considered a pastoral priority. for Promoting Christian Unity and, in and dioceses function. We are committed together with an indirect way, their voice was heard our brothers and sisters with Both the Methodist-Catholic in the Council. In other words, there the other churches and ecclesial Dialogue7 and the Anglican-Catholic was an ecumenical dimension to the communities in the ecumenical Dialogue8 have produced reports Second Vatican Council. movement.6 which challenge each party to take Another way of looking at this is to seriously this deeper relationship This teaching of our previous Holy recognize that while we are not in full and to put into practice some of the Father draws attention to the communion with other Christians, things that are now possible that we foundation of our collaboration we do have a partial communion would not have dreamt of forty years with other Christians, which is our with them because of what we share ago. relationship with them in Christ at least through baptism and faith, through faith and baptism. Because Our own Covenant signed in and that this partial communion of our common life in Christ we Adelaide in 2004 with other members has increased greatly over the past are related to them ecumenically, of the National Council of Churches forty years through our ecumenical whether we acknowledge it or not. both affirms this relationship and dialogue, prayer and collaboration. A They are part of our life as Catholics outlines possibilities for action in the good example would be our deeper because of Christ. To ignore them is light of it.9 relationship with the Lutheran to ignore something that belongs to community after the signing of the our relationship with Jesus himself, Joint Declaration, and with the four 6 “Pope John Paul II’s Address to the Roman and that is why Pope John Paul II major Western Christian communities Curia”, Information Service 59 (1985) 2. could say that “ecumenical concern is because of the fruits of forty years of 7 a necessary dimension of the whole The Grace Given You in Christ. Catholics and dialogue which have recently been Methodists Reflect Further on the Church. Report of the Church’s life” and again “that made very clear in the publication of of the International Commission for Dialogue everything can and must contribute Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Between the Roman Catholic Church and the to it”. World Methodist Council. Lake Junaluska, WMC, Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue. 2006. 8 Growing Together in Unity and Mission. Building on 40 Years of Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue. An Agreed Statement of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission. London, S.P.C.K., 2007. 9 www.catholic.org.au See the page of the Bishops Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 Truth and Love

Some people misunderstand the Our secular culture would encourage ecumenical movement and think us to be tolerant and inclusive and that it is a work of negotiation or respectful of all other religions and all even of compromise. This could not other belief systems, which is good. be further from the truth. The two But some would take this further attributes of genuine ecumenical and want us to settle for a variety work are a commitment to the truth of conflicting truths rather than be and a commitment to love. Unless committed to the Truth as we have those involved ecumenically are received it in the Church. Ecumenism committed to their own Church and does not have any room for the its teaching, true ecumenism does attitude that one belief is as good as not occur. At the same time, unless another. This is a long way from the those involved in ecumenism have a truthful love that is at the heart of our heart open to other Christians, again, ecumenical commitment. We have ecumenism cannot occur. We need to remain faithful to Jesus Christ as a commitment to the truth, but also we have come to know Him in the a commitment to love. These belong Catholic Tradition, and always adhere together and one without the other strongly to our own Catholic identity is destructive of genuine ecumenism. while at the same time offering our affection and openness to all other Another danger in Australia is that we Christians. They are truly fellow may think our easy acceptance of our Christians from whom we may differ neighbours and our unwillingness to but who have very important gifts be involved in conflict over matters to offer us, and who challenge our of doctrine are all that is needed for own faithfulness to the one gospel to an ecumenical attitude. However, which we all seek to adhere. these are really more indicative of the influence of Australian culture than a sign of deep conversion. There is no ecumenism possible unless we are willing to deal with our differences and any avoidance of this is damaging to our ecumenical engagement. The very event of Edinburgh 1910, which we are remembering, illustrates very well that harmony, tolerance or peaceful co-existence are not enough. Doctrinal differences have to be dealt with if churches are ever to work together on a deeper level, and certainly if they are to draw closer to each other in Christ.

The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 An Exchange of Gifts

Catholics believe that the Church of At the same time, the Catholic It is time to commit ourselves Jesus Christ subsists in the Catholic Church recognizes that these same anew to the modern ecumenical Church. In other words, all the essential elements of the Church of movement in this its centenary elements that are essential to the Jesus Christ are found to different year, and we, the Catholic Bishops life and mission of the Church have degrees in all other churches. This of Australia, invite all Australian continued to exist in the Catholic is the foundation for both the Catholics to join us in such a renewed Church in their integrity since communion which already exists, commitment. We must also renew the beginning. So we must not and for the ecumenical movement our commitment along with our compromise our adherence to the which is aimed at deepening this fellow Christians to the missionary apostolic faith as we understand it, communion. Pope John Paul II zeal which inspired those who or the ministerial structures of the affirmed this very important Catholic gathered in Edinburgh in 1910 and Church which have come from Christ. conviction in Ut Unum Sint: which we need in our own country to address the challenge of our The Directory on Ecumenism explains ... Indeed, the elements of secular culture. We pray that God will this in these words: sanctification and truth present in gift us with the grace to achieve even the other Christian Communities, Catholics hold the firm conviction more in our dialogues, our councils in a degree which varies from that the one Church of Christ and our collaboration, so that we one to the other, constitute the subsists in the Catholic Church may grow closer together in Christ objective basis of the communion, “which is governed by the and Australians will come to believe albeit imperfect, which exists successor of Peter and by the that Jesus indeed has come from between them and the Catholic Bishops in communion with him”. God and that in him all Australians Church. They confess that the entirety of will find the way, the truth and the revealed truth, of sacraments, and To the extent that these elements life they have been seeking. of ministry that Christ gave for the are found in other Christian building up of his Church and the Communities, the one Church carrying out of its mission is found of Christ is effectively present in within the Catholic communion them. ...(n. 11). of the Church. Certainly Catholics Pope John Paul II went on to say in Ut know that personally they have Unum Sint that ecumenical dialogue not made full use of and do not involves not only an exchange of make full use of the means of ideas, but also in some ways always grace with which the Church is an exchange of gifts” (28). We have endowed. For all that, Catholics something to receive from other never lose confidence in the Christians just as we have something Church. Their faith assures them to give because many of the most that it remains “the worthy bride precious elements that belong to the of the Lord, ceaselessly renewing Church of Jesus Christ are also found herself through the action of the in their communities and are offered Holy Spirit until, through the cross, in a way that can edify us. Other she may attain to that light which Christians have been committed knows no setting”. for centuries in faithfulness to Jesus Christ and so they have spiritual gifts and insights into the gospel that can be gifts for us as well. Moreover, as the Second Vatican Council acknowledged, we do not always live in accordance with all the gifts we have received in their fullness and other Christians may lead us to do so. The Impulse of God’s Grace • Pastoral letter on the centenary of the ecumenical movement 2 0 1 0 This change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole Ecumenical Movement, and merits the name, ‘spiritual ecumenism’.

Decree on Ecumenism – Second Vatican Council

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