Ecumenism is a Journey

Hello everyone! I hope you are doing well. Summer is officially over in the northern hemisphere of our planet, and fall has begun. In this post I just wanted to share an article titled: Ecumenism is a common journey, not a lab experiment, pope says. The article was written by Junno Arocho Esteves for Catholic News Service earlier this year. The following is an excerpt from it:

'"The path toward Christian unity can't be found isolated in a laboratory hashing out theological differences, but rather by walking together on a common journey, Pope Francis said.

While theological dialogue is necessary, Catholics and Anglicans can continue to "help each other in our needs, in our lives and help each other spiritually," the pope said Feb. 26 while answering questions from parishioners of All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome.

"This cannot be done in a laboratory; it must be done walking together along the way. We are on a journey and while we walk, we can have these (theological) discussions," he said."'

Read the full article at the link below. Blessings…enjoy!

Ecumenism is a common journey, not a lab experiment, pope says

Reference:

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/ecumenism-is-a-common-journey-not-a-lab-experiment-pope-says.cfm

Speech by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

In this post, I simply wanted to share a most recent speech on ecumenism given by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC General Secretary. In his closing thought, he said: "...we do have an extraordinary ecumenical chance at this point in history. Let us pray that we don’t miss it." I for one agree! Read the entire speech at the link below. Blessings!

The ecumenical chance of the year 2017 - review - proposals - perspectives — World Council of Churches














Source:

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/speeches/the-ecumenical-chance-of-the-year-2017-review-proposals-perspectives/view

Children and HIV

I want to share an article from the WCC. The following is an excerpt from it.


"In 2016 alone there were 160,000 new child infections, and every day 330 children died of AIDS-related diseases.

The shocking fact is that only 43 percent of all children living with HIV were on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. To make matters worse, the report says that the rate of increase in the number on treatment has slowed in recent years...(http://www.oikoumene.org)."


Click on the link below for the full article. Blessings!


Treatment target for children living with HIV may not be reached by 2018 — World Council of Churches






Source:

http://www.oikoumene.org

Happy Fourth Birthday!

Four years ago yesterday, I created this blog and wrote the very first article or post for it. Today, I still have the same goals and intentions with relevance to the subject of Ecumenism. The status of ecumenical thought in our world has perhaps changed somewhat for the better; however, we still fall short of the intentions that Christ seemingly had. In short, there is still plenty of work ahead of us. To close, I hope everyone reading this joins the cause and becomes one with us in spreading the Word. Blessings!

Pray to End Famine

"As more people face famine today than any time in modern history, the World Council of Churches (WCC) together with the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and a range of faith-based partners and networks invite a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine on 21 May 2017, in response to the hunger crisis."

Source:

https://www.oikoumene.org/en

Feeling Sad about Syria Today

I know that Christianity today has many ecumenical problems; however, when I look at Islam, I gather that the ecumenical problems are far worse. Sure, I understand the political and theological differences between Sunnis and Shiites, but this seems to go beyond denominational disagreement, just observe what has happened in Syria these past few years...beyond sad. This needs to be resolved. The following are basically verses from the Qur'an on the Golden Rule.

“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess [the slave]: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious” (Q:4:36)"

My conclusions are that I have heard some say things such as why is it that if Islam is so great that Muslims always seem to want to migrate to countries that are mostly Christian or have a Christian history? I don't have an answer to the question, but I do know that we all have to start loving each other instead of killing each other if we really want a better future. Blessings! As-salamu alaykum to all!

Catholics and Copts Recognize Shared Baptisms

 The following agreement is definitely good ecumenical news!

"Today we, Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II, in order to please the heart of the Lord Jesus, as well as that of our sons and daughters in the faith, mutually declare that we, with one mind and heart, will seek sincerely not to repeat the baptism that has been administered in either of our churches...."

Find out more at the link below on Vatican Radio.

Pope in Egypt: Catholics and Copts recognise shared baptism - Vatican Radio