Introduction to Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

Catalog description

This course introduces the modern ecumenical movement in which separated Christians are seeking to overcome centuries’ long divisions, and to work for Christian unity. Since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) the Catholic Church has engaged in official ecumenical dialogues with other Christians to resolve doctrinal divergencies at the root of their divisions. These dialogues, outlined here, have resulted in significant achievements, while important remaining divergencies between Christians still prevent full unity. The importance of interreligious dialogue is illustrated in one session on Jewish-Catholic relations, and another on Muslim-Catholic relations. Ecumenical and interreligious relationships have become characteristic of the present era.