Lineamenta on Ecumenism

Lineamenta on Ecumenism

THE CHURCH OF DIALOGUE

The call to an interfaith dialogue enshrined in the Vatican II document Unitatis Redintegratio (Decree on Ecumenism) is a shift from unification model of return to the Church into a mutual interaction based on a deeper ground of Christian communion and unity. It is to heed the call of our Lord to be one. Jesus prayed to the Father, “That all may be one even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they may be also one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me.”(Jn. 17:21). This is to recognize the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation wherein the Father sent his only begotten Son Jesus, the Christ, into the world to redeem the whole human race, give life of fullness and unify all peoples (cf. Col. 1:18-20; 1 Jn. 4:9)[UR,2]. Unity is indissolubly bound with mission (Jn. 17:20) and this missional character is made manifest in our unity by and in Christ in a Church of dialogue.
Dialogue is the acceptance of the other as other as a particular being in God. It is a communion of the spirit, a process of the movement of the heart where the essential mystery and summons to our interfaith encounter is sharing intuitions of God with respect. Faith commitments are areas of sacredness and the numinous dimensions of a God-person-community relationship should be dealt with mutual understanding and ecumenical openness. It is to live the call to a reconciling community (2 Cor 5:20) that works for peace (Rom 12:1) and therefore the healing of wounds, memories and identities inflicted by historical religious misconceptions and mishandling that brought schisms and division into our Christian faith. The harm brought about by Christian imperialism, inquisition, persecution and crusades should not stop at accepting these historical blunders and wounds but rather to continue the process of dialogue and reconciliation in the areas of faith and ecclesiology, mission and evangelization, education and theological training and movement toward practical Christianity (justice, peace, care of creation).
The Church of dialogue calls for a new communion or intercommunion in a process of renewal and re-inventing the Church to respond to the sign of the times which calls for new awakening on spiritual unity, unity in diversity, freedom for witness and personal conversion and a koinonia or communion as an agape-community. Christian unity founded in Christ’s cross, which reconciled human beings with God and with each other, presupposes an essential experience of the Spirit oriented towards the dynamic of the kingdom of God and not fixated on cultural-religious identity which marks a divisive religion or a denomination. This is to acknowledge the importance of unity in diversity where we mutually acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters in Christ because we have a common ground and standard of our lives: Jesus Christ (I Cor 12:3). Our mission is for the Kingdom of God and not for a certain religious identity and this means one must be given the freedom to walk new ways on their religious pilgrimage as well as respectful association and dialogue with other churches, sects and faith. There is a paradigm shift from proselytism and wandering apostolic teams to convert the people to Christianity to the radiating witness of communities and of individuals publicly proclaiming the Gospel together while leaving their listeners entirely free to choose any church or faith that meet their needs and their understanding of God. This is working and living together to give witness to God without any prejudice to one’s religion as long as we serve the people and work together for justice and peace and for the care of God’s creation.

Questions for small group discussion:
1. How shall we establish a good rapport among people of other faith and work together for the well-being of the people?
2. What is a better way to have inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism in our parish?