Ecumenical Quotes

Commitment to ecumenism responds to the prayer of the Lord Jesus that “they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). The credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions and the Church could realize “the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her children who, though joined to her by baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her”. We must never forget that we are pilgrims journeying alongside one another. This means that we must have sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face.

Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 244

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. However, many Christian communions present themselves to men as the true inheritors of Jesus Christ; all indeed profess to be followers of the Lord but differ in mind and go their different ways, as if Christ Himself were divided. Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature.

Second Vatican Council (Vat. II), Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio (UR), 1.

Today, in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit, many efforts are being made in prayer, word and action to attain that fullness of unity which Jesus Christ desires. The Sacred Council exhorts all the Catholic faithful to recognize the signs of the times and to take an active and intelligent part in the work of ecumenism.

Vat II, UR 4

Ecumenism has to do with the visible unity of the church and with demonstrating the spiritual unity of Christians, unity not for its own sake but also because it is the mission of God entrusted to the church. Ecumenism has to do with the integrity of the whole human race, its unity and well-being as much as with the integrity of the whole creation. With a fresh understanding of ecumenism and unity, it seems clear that the churches have entered a phase of mutual respect and a higher level of cooperation. It was therefore not surprising that where churches did not act together, it was to deal with the unity of humankind and justice in human relations.