Ecumenism
That they may all be one.
Who is in communion with the Catholic Church, who is a Christian, and how the Church regards those who are not. Each answer here is given in the words of the Council, the popes and the Holy See.
Two words
Ecumenism concerns Christians. The Council defines the ecumenical movement as “the initiatives and activities planned and undertaken, according to the various needs of the Church and as opportunities offer, to promote Christian unity”. Those who belong to it “invoke the Triune God and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior”.
Dialogue with other religions is a different work. The Holy See defines it as “all positive and constructive interreligious relations with individuals and communities of other faiths which are directed at mutual understanding and enrichment”. In this dialogue the Church “rejects nothing that is true and holy” in other religions, and yet she “ever must proclaim Christ”.
Where the Church of Christ is found
The Council taught that the one Church of Christ “subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him,” “although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure”. Beyond her visible communion the Church sees circles, nearer and further, and she describes each one differently.
| Who | How the Church describes them |
|---|---|
| The Catholic Church: the Latin Church and the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches | Full communion, by the bonds of faith, sacraments and governance. The Catholic Churches. |
| The Orthodox Churches | Called “true particular Churches,” joined to the Catholic Church “by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist”. The Orthodox Churches. |
| The Oriental Orthodox and the Assyrian Church of the East | Churches of the East with “true sacraments, above all by apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist”. The ancient Churches of the East. |
| Protestant and Anglican communities | Their baptized members “have a right to be called Christian”; the communities are not Churches “in the proper sense”. The communities of the Reformation. |
| Latter-day Saints and others outside the Creed | Latter-day Saint baptism is not valid: “Response: Negative”. Outside the faith of Nicaea. |
| The Jewish people | “On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God”. The Jewish people. |
| Muslims | They “along with us adore the one and merciful God”. Islam and Muslims. |
Three more pages turn from doctrine to life: how Catholics live with other Christians and other religions, the letters the Popes and other leaders have exchanged, and what the Church teaches about war and peace.
Why it matters
The Church does not regard division as a fact to be managed. The Council called it a scandal: division “openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel”. John Paul II wrote: “To believe in Christ means to desire unity”. The Council named the condition of all of it, a change of heart: “There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart”.
Between Rome and the Churches and religions
- Tawadros II signs a cooperation protocol with the Human Fraternity FoundationVatican News
- Message of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to Hindus on the occasion of the Feast of Deepavali 2026Holy See Press Office
- The Ecumenical Patriarch at the tomb of Pope Francis – Moving speech at the Oriental Studies Institute from which he graduated in 1966Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης στον τάφο του Πάπα Φραγκίσκου – Συγκινητική ομιλία στο Ινστιτούτο Ανατολικών Σπουδών από το οποίο αποφοίτησε το 1966Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
- Ethiopia: Orthodox Churches express condolences for victims in OromiaEtiopía: las Iglesias ortodoxas expresan su pésame por las víctimas en OromiaVatican News
- Lutheran leaders attend Assisi meeting on ‘unarmed and disarming peace’Lutheran World Federation
- Methodist Leaders Participate in 40th International Meeting of Peace in AssisiMethodist Ecumenical Office Rome
- Etiopia, cordoglio delle Chiese ortodosse per le vittime in OromiaVatican News
- Patriarch Bartholomew blesses a new icon of the Mother of God in LoretoVatican News
- Jordan, after the attack a wave of solidarity between Muslims and ChristiansGiordania, dopo l'attentato un'ondata di solidarietà tra musulmani e cristianiVatican News
- The Holy Father received Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios of ConstantinopleVatican News