Ecumenism

The word "ecumenism" (IPA: {{IPA|/?k?ju?m??n?z?m/}}) is derived from the Greek oikoumene, which means "the inhabited world". The term is usually used with regard to movements toward religious unity. In its broadest meaning therefore, ecumenism is the religious initiative towards world-wide unity. At a minimum, ecumenism is the promotion of unity, co-operation, or improved understanding between distinct religious groups or denominations within the same religion more or less broadly defined.

Ecumenical council

In the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches an ecumenical council is a council of nearly all bishops of the whole church, capable of infallible decisions on theological questions. Roman Catholics construe "the whole church" as including only themselves. Eastern Orthodoxy construes it as including only, and with the consent of all of, the Orthodox which, they contend, since the Great Schism, consists of only the Eastern Orthodox; they call the Patriarch of Constantinople the "Ecumenical Patriarch" and "first among equals": he has jurisdiction within his patriarchate and in those other parts of the world without another patriarch.

Related Topics:
Catholic - Eastern Orthodox - Ecumenical council - Infallible - Great Schism - Eastern Orthodox - Patriarch of Constantinople - Patriarchate

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The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical council of representatives from most Protestant and Orthodox churches worldwide, with observers from the Holy See. It strives for world Christian unity and action, especially with regard to world relief organizations and messages of faith. Ecumenicalism is a movement among Protestant, and to some extent, Orthodox churches to bring Christian theology together, although to date Roman Catholics have not been interested in joining this movement as the Pope and Catholic Church generally believe they are already a universal and authentic church.

Related Topics:
World Council of Churches - Protestant - Orthodox - Holy See

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