Ecumenism

The Latest

Pope Francis meets Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa, president of the Lutheran World Federation, at the Vatican, June 25, 2021.

Pope Francis to Lutheran leaders: Jesus feels pain at our divisions

Jun 25, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope met with representatives of the Lutheran World Federation. Read more

Pope Francis encourages ecumenical meeting in brotherly love

Jun 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

Practicing love toward one another is essential, Pope Francis said in a video message to a gathering of the John... Read more

Thomas Sternberg, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).

German Catholic, Protestant leaders share communion at ecumenical event

May 21, 2021

The gathering took place amid a controversy about intercommunion that drew the Vatican’s attention. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference. Courtesy: Diocese of Limburg

German Catholic bishops’ leader: ecumenical event ‘not about intercommunion’

May 14, 2021

Bishop Georg Bätzing insisted that the church services attended by both Catholics and Protestants would be “ecumenically sensitive.” Read more

On St Patrick's Day, Ireland's religious leaders stress progress and continued engagement

Mar 17, 2021

Christianity can shed light on the path forward for the peace process in Ireland, religious and political coexistence, and understanding... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican cardinal supports common Easter date for Catholics, Orthodox

Mar 12, 2021

The president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, has supported a suggestion that Catholics and Orthodox... Read more

Icon of the 21 Martyrs of Libya. Image courtesy of Tony Rezk, via tonyrezk.blogspot.com

Pope Francis praises Coptic Orthodox martyrs as 'saints of all Christians'

Feb 15, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has praised the courageous witness of the 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians killed by ISIS in 2015, calling them... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Jan. 20, 2021. Credit: Pablo Esparza/CNA.

Pope Francis: Ask God for unity to ‘overcome scandal of division’ among Christians

Jan 20, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis urged Christians to pray for “the gift of unity” on Wednesday, saying that the devil always seeks to... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Vatican cardinal: Synodality is a vital tool in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue

Jan 19, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Strengthening synodality is “the most important contribution” the Catholic Church can make to ecumenical dialogue, especially dialogue with the Orthodox,... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican preparing ‘joint message’ on Martin Luther with Lutheran World Federation

Jan 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Vatican’s ecumenical office is preparing a “joint message” on Martin Luther with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), a cardinal... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican guide for bishops addresses common challenges to Christian unity

Dec 4, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican published Friday a guide with suggestions for Catholic bishops to promote unity with other Christian communities, and offering... Read more

Pope Francis with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople outside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli Oct. 20, 2020.

Pope Francis tells Orthodox leader: I am confident we will achieve full unity

Nov 30, 2020

Pope Francis told the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Monday that he is confident that Catholics and Orthodox Christians will attain... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims after the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 27, 2019.

Pope Francis to attend interreligious peace event in Rome

Oct 16, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will attend an ecumenical prayer service and an interreligious ceremony for peace in Rome next week, the Vatican... Read more

Hagia Sophia, which will be inaugurated as a mosque July 24.

Catholic, Eastern Orthodox Churches to observe day of mourning for Hagia Sophia

Jul 21, 2020

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops said Tuesday that July 24 “is a Day of Mourning” for Hagia Sophia. The... Read more

Pope Francis gave the Sunday Angelus address and blessing to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on June 21, 2020.

Pope Francis greets Orthodox patriarch after coronavirus cancels annual visit

Jun 29, 2020

Pope Francis extended a special greeting to the Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and head of the Orthodox... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis remembers 25 years of 'Ut unum sint,' John Paul II's letter on ecumenism

May 25, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Monday remembered Ut unum sint, St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on ecumenism, on the 25th anniversary of... Read more

Cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland.

First Mass since Reformation to be held in Swiss cathedral

Feb 17, 2020

Mass will be said in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Genève on Feb. 29, in a decision announced by the... Read more

The display of St. Timothy’s relics at the altar of St. Paul’s conversion in St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

St. Timothy's relics moved to Rome for Week of Christian Unity

Jan 23, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The relics of St. Timothy are in Rome this week for veneration during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Read more

Bishop Barry Knestout. Photo Courtesy of Archdiocese of Washington

Catholic parish will not host Episcopalian consecration

Jan 17, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will no longer hold an episcopal consecration and ordination at a Catholic parish in... Read more

Sajith Joseph and others after being received into the Church at St. Mary's Cathedral in Punalur, Dec. 21, 2019. Courtesy photo.

Founder of Protestant movement returns to Catholic Church

Jan 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The founder of a prominent non-denominational movement in India has returned to the Catholic faith of his baptism, after more... Read more