How does a Catholic live ecumenically?

[Ordway]

There is an ecumenical group locally that shares life together, meaning prayer worship - men’s and women’s groups, basically sharing a lot of aspects of life. Each person attends their respective denomination but the group meets as an addition to. This is a charismatic group, and the praying is very vibrant.

My question(s): What is the view of Catholic teachings on ecumenical prayer groups? If the group ignores any differences (Marian devotion for example) in order to not offend the non-Catholics isn’t that a problem? Or not?

My wife and I have been involved for awhile, testing the waters. I have been told by people within the group that this is within the guidelines of Vatican II, and this is living how the Bible describes early Christian life (shared life). But I can’t find anything that specifically talks about sharing life with non-Catholics. Any words of advice? Guidance?

 

[Edward_H]

Might depend greatly on how well formed a person really is…how strong is their interior life, say compared to a canonized saint. Do they know and understand the Bible deeply, have they studied, vs browsed Catholic doctrine. I’d be hesitant. Don’t go just to be ecumenical.

Better to be ecumenical at work…where virtue becomes sort of the medium of exchange.

I went to a “prayer group in college”…but it was basically set up to convert the Catholic…I held my own…but didn’t get much out of the exchange…nor do I think I was able to give much.

 

[Used2beSherryG]

I would not attend this type of group, although I freely associate and share my faith in my daily life. I would invite people to attend my Catholic prayer group or Catholic Bible study. Why go to a faith group that is limiting when you can attend a Catholic faith group that has the fullness of the faith?

 

[Corki]

Your thread title and your opening post ask two different questions.

A Catholic should not try to live ecumenically (your thread title question). A Catholic should always live as a Catholic. Full stop.

But under some circumstances, a Catholic can participate in a multi-faith prayer group (your post’s question). Usually this is done under the guidance of, if not the Bishop, at least one’s pastor.

Speak to your pastor about this particular group.

 

[Ordway]

Your thread title and your opening post ask two different questions.

A Catholic should not try to live ecumenically (your thread title question). A Catholic should always live as a Catholic. Full stop.

But under some circumstances, a Catholic can participate in a multi-faith prayer group (your post’s question). Usually this is done under the guidance of, if not the Bishop, at least one’s pastor.

Speak to your pastor about this particular group.

Thank you Corki, for answering both questions. I apologize for the confusion, and I thank you for responding regardless.

The living the ecumenical life is an over arching question, and a big one I suppose, that I tried to narrow down to specifically in relation to shared life within a community, prayer groups, etc., and where to find information directly from the Church regarding this.

I will be discussing with the Parish Priest, but would like to do some reading and research on the topic prior to that conversation.

Again thank you, and if you think of anything in addition please do not hesitate to post it.

 

[Anglewannabe]

Personally I have attended non-denominational activities (they were never called ecumenical) and honestly, I did NOT feel comfortable in them. I am grateful for them making me aware we are suppose to have a relationship with God but, I always found out sooner or later someone hated Catholics and did not have a problem letting it be known. I also think I got a lot of misconceptions from them about faith.

Also, I personally will NEVER understand charismatic groups. How can anyone hear anything God has to say through all that noise??? God is more gentle and the screaming is just getting carried away and giving the devil an in while one is not thinking

Just my 2 cents

Angie

 

[Ordway]

Personally I have attended non-denominational activities (they were never called ecumenical) and honestly, I did NOT feel comfortable in them.

I think the “ecumenical” title is because the group was started originally as a Catholic prayer group, then with interest from other non-catholic individuals it morphed into an ecumenical group. Non-denominational has no ties with the Church, whereas ecumenical is a Catholic term that from what I can tell means reaching out to other faiths, in hopes of bringing them back to the Church. First, find common ground, and then work at ultimately bringing them back within the Catholic Church. I believe it is meant to end the splintering of the Church.

Where I am struggling is, how can a group utilize a grass-roots effort that is way MORE than just a prayer group and still be able to consider it sanctioned as okay to do as a Catholic? No sign of the cross, no catholic prayers, etc.

I am not a fan of over-the-top charismatic prayer, but I do really like the closeness of the group…but absolutely not an option for me if it means I’m not within the teachings of the Catholic Church.