What is the purpose of ecumenism?

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RosslynV

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Based on Pope Francis’ statements made to those of other religions, I have never heard a word hoping for a conversion to the catholic faith. What is the point of dialoging with the jews , Muslims etc? Is it to promote indifferentism, with the ultimate goal of one world religion?
 
Ecumenism may inspire conversions but as I understand it it is the recognition that we are all brothers seeking the same salvation. BrJR used to mention a lot that Vatican II operated on the principle that we are not responsible for our parent’s actions. Also that heresy does not necessarily make one a heretic. So we are faced with those challenges moving forward.
 
RosslynV said:
Based on Pope Francis’ statements made to those of other religions, I have never heard a word hoping for a conversion to the catholic faith.
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I have. One is in his address to the Orthodox: “I want to assure each one of you here that, to reach the desired goal of full unity, the Catholic Church does not intend to impose any conditions except that of the shared profession of faith.” source

To me, if the Church imposes the obligation of sharing the Catholic profession of faith before unity can be restored, that is the same thing as conversion.

Another time he seems to have spoken about conversion is in his addresses to Lutherans. He speaks of “our journey towards full communion,” “addressing fundamental questions as well as differences in the fields of anthropology and ethics” and how this will help “lead us along the paths of reconciliation and communion.” source He also prayed, “May this commemoration of the Reformation encourage us all to carry out, with God’s help and the support of his Spirit, further steps towards unity and to not just limit ourselves to what we have already achieved!” source If the pope wants full communion and “unity” with the Lutherans, including on areas where there are fundamental differences about ethics (I’m thinking of abortion and contraception), if I understand that correctly that’s the same thing as conversion.

And I’m all for that: let’s bring these boys home!
What is the point of dialoging with the jews , Muslims etc? Is it to promote indifferentism, with the ultimate goal of one world religion?
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No, because indifferentists would not want to confront areas of fundamental disagreement or insist on a shared profession of faith. Pope Francis has called for these things, therefore he is not interested in indifferentism, but authentic conversion.

I hope that helps.
 
RosslynV said:
Based on Pope Francis’ statements made to those of other religions, I have never heard a word hoping for a conversion to the catholic faith. What is the point of dialoging with the jews , Muslims etc? Is it to promote indifferentism, with the ultimate goal of one world religion?
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Part of the purpose of ecumenism is to help erase misunderstandings among believers (seriously, ecumenism works best with our separated brethren). The first step to conversion for many of our Protestant brothers and sisters is the acceptance that the Catholics are, in fact, Christians. They can’t accept this if we keep them out of our circles and if they keep us out of theirs.
 
dmar198 said:
If the pope wants full communion and “unity” with the Lutherans, including on areas where there are fundamental differences about ethics (I’m thinking of abortion and contraception), if I understand that correctly that’s the same thing as conversion.
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Some Lutherans, mainly the Missouri Synod, have a moral code which seems a little stricter than the Church’s in this regard. Perhaps their goal is to convert us? Just sayin…
 
ProVobis said:
Some Lutherans, mainly the Missouri Synod, have a moral code which seems a little stricter than the Church’s in this regard. Perhaps their goal is to convert us? Just sayin…
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In what way is their moral code stricter? It is my understanding that they allow abortion in some circumstances and contraception whenever the couple wants it. Am I missing something?
 
dmar198 said:
In what way is their moral code stricter? It is my understanding that they allow abortion in some circumstances and contraception whenever the couple wants it. Am I missing something?
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Only from what I’ve heard. But even if they’re not, isn’t it a little arrogant/Pharisaical to want them to convert only to your level of thinking without any regard for theirs?
 
ProVobis said:
Only from what I’ve heard. But even if they’re not, isn’t it a little arrogant/Pharisaical to want them to convert only to your level of thinking without any regard for theirs?
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I think that would be very arrogant and Pharisaical, and I hope I didn’t give that impression.
 
RosslynV said:
Based on Pope Francis’ statements made to those of other religions, I have never heard a word hoping for a conversion to the catholic faith. What is the point of dialoging with the jews , Muslims etc? Is it to promote indifferentism, with the ultimate goal of one world religion?
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When ecumenism is discussed, it seems that knowledge becomes the central idea. That we share knowledge so hopefully ignorance will be overcome and truth wins out.

But it seems to me that love is at the very root of ecumenism, just as it was with Jesus. To see in each other what Jesus sees and how he sees. Jesus wanted to convert the world because he first loved those in it.

Ecumenism would be a success if everyone showed a great deal of love and concern for each other even if what we believed did not come an inch closer. Because that is what Jesus said he wants, “by this all men will know you are my disciples.”

Love takes on many forms, sharing knowledge thru concern is only one. The only real way for ecumenism to work is to do it because you love the person before you.

Blessed be God who comforts us in all our efforts.
 
fred_conty said:
When ecumenism is discussed, it seems that knowledge becomes the central idea. That we share knowledge so hopefully ignorance will be overcome and truth wins out.

But it seems to me that love is at the very root of ecumenism, just as it was with Jesus. To see in each other what Jesus sees and how he sees. Jesus wanted to convert the world because he first loved those in it.

Ecumenism would be a success if everyone showed a great deal of love and concern for each other even if what we believed did not come an inch closer. Because that is what Jesus said he wants, “by this all men will know you are my disciples.”

Love takes on many forms, sharing knowledge thru concern is only one. The only real way for ecumenism to work is to do it because you love the person before you.

Blessed be God who comforts us in all our efforts.
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Well said! 👍
 
The vast majority of “ecumenism” is false ecumenism. The ecumenism that brought those Anglican communities home to Rome is what real ecumenism is.
 
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