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Krisdun
Guest
Has anyone attended an Ecumenical service and what did you think of it? Was it spiritually uplifting or should they be avoided?
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ziapueblo
Guest
I attended a great Theology on Tap at a local pub with my Greek Orthodox priest and a wonderful Roman Catholic priest and they spoke of what was similar and what was different between the two Churches. It was great, but I don’t think I’d call that an ecumenical service 
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
My opinion is, ecumenical services are not a great way to unite all faiths, unless the service is for one very specific or necessary agreed-upon purpose, such as an ecumenical prayer meeting to pray against coronavirus, an ecumenical prayer meeting to pray for end to a war, an ecumenical prayer meeting to pray for civil rights/ justice etc. For things like this, a show of unity among churches is important. However, there is only so far we can go with unity.
Every year there is a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Every year I look for a Catholic church actually having some kind of service for it. I’m lucky if I find even one.
Every year there is a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Every year I look for a Catholic church actually having some kind of service for it. I’m lucky if I find even one.
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InThePew
Guest
Normally we’d do an ecumenical Stations of the Cross on Good Friday with our local Anglican church, alternating responsibility for leading it each year. We also had an ecumenical Ash Wednesday liturgy. Events like this are a wonderful way of showing our unity as Christians and serve as a reminder that what unites us is far greater than divides us. I wouldn’t agree that we need a specific purpose though; personally I found working with my fellow ministers in the local area very enriching and worthwhile and, if anything, we should really do things together more often.
Granted, it’s easy to treat such activities as a futile attempt at ignoring the very real and significant differences between us. At the same time though, as this Solemn Intercession for Good Friday reminds us, we are one flock consecrated by one baptism (mostly
) but there are times when we’re too busy throwing stuff at each other (figuratively, if not literally) to notice. Sectarianism has a dark history; one which is just as easy to bring to the surface in the present time as it is to forget.
Granted, it’s easy to treat such activities as a futile attempt at ignoring the very real and significant differences between us. At the same time though, as this Solemn Intercession for Good Friday reminds us, we are one flock consecrated by one baptism (mostly
) but there are times when we’re too busy throwing stuff at each other (figuratively, if not literally) to notice. Sectarianism has a dark history; one which is just as easy to bring to the surface in the present time as it is to forget.catholic03
Well-known member
That’s precisely what my parish does. Although, of course due to the pandemic it is impossible this year.
I think that’s a nice way of showing Christian unity.
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Phemie
Guest
I live in a small town where there is a ministerial association. All the Christian churches/ecclesial communities belong to it and support each other. We take turns hosting the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ecumenical services each year. We also take turns hosting the annual World Day of Prayer on the first Friday in March.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
This thread is interesting because, if I’m not mistaken, Phemie is in Canada, catholic03 is in NZ, and InthePew is in UK. It sounds like there is much more ecumenism going on in those countries than in USA. When I see ecumenical services or activities in USA, they usually involve some sort of social justice ministry, or churches that do a lot of helping the community in an area. Once you get out in the suburbs, there can be a whole bunch of different churches but we aren’t doing anything together.
In some cases I’ve also seen the Protestant churches doing a lot of ecumenical stuff with each other, but the Catholics stay out of it. Sometimes the activity is something that Catholics couldn’t reasonably participate in, such as a joint communion service.
Not sure why, but it just doesn’t seem to happen for Catholics here. I suspect in some areas, most of the Protestants are Evangelical rather than mainline, and many of the Evangelicals don’t want to do stuff jointly with Catholics.
In some cases I’ve also seen the Protestant churches doing a lot of ecumenical stuff with each other, but the Catholics stay out of it. Sometimes the activity is something that Catholics couldn’t reasonably participate in, such as a joint communion service.
Not sure why, but it just doesn’t seem to happen for Catholics here. I suspect in some areas, most of the Protestants are Evangelical rather than mainline, and many of the Evangelicals don’t want to do stuff jointly with Catholics.
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
In my town in Slovakia, we usually have ecumenical service with Evangelicals every year. It used to be in our Church as their one wasn’t finished yet, now it is alternating every year iirc. I only attended once because I couldn’t go other years for various reasons. There was nothing I really learned about Evangelical faith there. It did bring some Catholic people to going to Evangelical confessions and services so I am not entirely sure if it’s a good thing. Service consists of praying together and denouncing religious wars and persecution. Afterwards they dine together and it’s beautiful how charitable Christians are towards each other. But danger of indifferentism should be avoided.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I think indifferentism, and having people drift away to the Protestant church because it’s more simple/ has more entertaining services/ more approving of gay marriage, women clergy etc. is a big concern for many in USA.
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
Yes… I think that can be combated with proper catechesis though. If indeed people know Catholic Church was built upon Peter and why it teaches what it teaches, they won’t pick denominations based on preference. If people believe all Churches are equal and hold that there is no united body of Christ’s Church, then it is logical to pick what best suits them.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I don’t think catechesis is going to keep someone from going off to another church, particularly if they’re a young person or the type who is “searching” or picking denominations based on what makes them feel good. You can explain to them all the apologetics for why the Catholic Church is the true church until you’re blue in the face, and they’ll still say, “I don’t see why it has to be that way, and the Episcopal church up the road has a Mass that looks just like ours, plus they let women be priests and they’re nicer to gay people, so I’m going there. Bye!”
We see this right on the forum all the time.
We see this right on the forum all the time.
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
You’re right. Still, it could help at least in some cases.
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