Ecumenism

The Church in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle promotes the quest for Christian unity in our area and beyond, realising that this is integral to the life and mission of Christ's Church. Our rationale is based on the following principles:

• Christian Unity is a Biblical Imperative
• Christian Unity was a Teaching of the Second Vatican Council
• Christian Unity as a Teaching of Pope John Paul II
• Christian Unity as a Teaching of The Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism
• Relationship with Non-Christian Religions was a Teaching of the Second Vatican Council

Christian Unity is a Biblical Imperative
The path to Christian unity rests on the message of reconciliation, which Jesus preached, drawing people into communion with God and each other. He prayed to the Father that all would be one, one with God and one with each other. (John 17:11, 20-23)

Christian Unity was a Teaching of the Second Vatican Council
The Decree on Ecumenism (Lumen Gentium) teaches that the Church "exists as a sacrament or instrumental sign of intimate union with God and the unity of all humanity." (Lumen Gentium #1) Through the Holy Spirit the Church exists as the sacrament of unity. It is a sign of that unity which God wills and it is also an instrument to realise that unity in each generation and each place.

Jesus Christ founded one Church. The breaking of communion and the disunity throughout Church history is a scandal to a world which hopes to find God's mysterious plan for creation present within the Church. It is a failure to live fully God's call to unity. It is as if Christ himself were divided. The sacramentality of the Church is weakened even though the deep and abiding presence of the Spirit calls the Church to ever deeper communion.

The last hundred years have been a time of Christian growth towards Unity, guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in people of good will. In these early years of the Third Millennium a significant degree of communion with each other may be recognised among many Christian Churches. It is the hope and goal of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Council of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle that the degree of exisiting communion will increase and hence further the Kingdom among us.

The Second Vatican Council speaks of five ways of working towards Unity. (Unitatis Redintegratio #4)
• Making every effort to eliminate words, judgements and actions which do not respond to the condition of separated brothers and sisters with truth, fairness and so make mutual relations between them more difficult.
• Through dialogue between competent experts from different Churches and communities explaining the teachings of each communion in greater depth and bringing out clearly its distinctive features. Through such dialogue everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of teachings and religious life of each communion.
• Co-operating more closely in whatever projects a Christian conscience demands for the common good.
• Coming together for common prayer, where this is permitted.
• Examining our own faithfulness to Christ's will for the Church and wherever necessary, undertaking the task of renewal and reform.

Christian Unity as a Teaching of Pope John Paul II
For the Catholic Church, there is absolutely no turning back on the commitment to Christian Unity. Ecumenical principles should be embraced as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love. (Ut Unum Sint #8)

"When I say for me, the Bishop of Rome, the ecumenical task is one of the pastoral priorities of my Pontificate, I think of the grave obstacle which the lack of unity represents for the proclamation of the gospel. Christian Community which believes in Christ and desires with gospel fervour the salvation of people can hardly be closed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who leads all Christians towards full and visible unity." (Ut Unum Sint #99)

Christian Unity as a Teaching of The Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism
"Concern for restoring unity pertains to the whole church, faithful and clergy alike. It extends to everyone, according to the potential of each, whether it be exercised in daily Christian living or in theological and historical studies." (Directory, #55)

Relationship with Non-Christian Religions was a Teaching of the Second Vatican Council
In God's plan, all humanity must live in solidarity and mutual respect. People of non-Christian religions share a common gift from God, namely a common destiny to salvation and a common belief in God. The Second Vatican Council in its document Nostra Aetate called for new relationships between Christians and peoples of other faiths, urges that, rather than highlighting the differences that exist in the human family, emphasis should be made on the human commonality that exists between all people. With prudence and charity, discussion and collaboration with members of other religions should be entered.

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. It has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from its own teaching, nevertheless often reflects a ray of that truth that enlightens all men and women." (Nostra Aetate #2)

"We cannot truly pray to God the Father of all, if we treat any people as other than sisters and brothers, for all are created in God's image." (Nostra Aetate #5)

The Diocese of Maitland- Newcastle has a long history of ecumenical activity. Ecumenical co-operation has become an integral part of diocesan life. It underpins much of the pastoral and apostolic activities of the region.

Members of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Council of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are actively working towards the implementation of the ecumenical vision of the principles enunciated in the documents quoted above.