Ekumenical

Ekumenical refers to efforts to promote unity and cooperative engagement among Christian churches and Christian communities worldwide. The term derives from the Greek oikoumenē, meaning “the inhabited world,” and entered ecclesiastical language through Latin ecumenicus, to denote universality or common Christian concern. In theological usage, ecumenical activities include dialogue, shared service, and collaborative action across denominational boundaries.

Historically, the concept is linked to the ecumenical councils of the early church, such as Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (451). These councils, regarded as universal by many Christian traditions, sought to articulate common doctrine and resolve disputes affecting the whole church. The term also came to describe ongoing efforts to unify churches beyond doctrinal declarations, extending to worship, sacraments, and mission.

In the modern era, the ecumenical movement emerged prominently in the 19th and 20th centuries, aiming to repair divisions stemming from the Reformation and subsequent sectarianism. A central institution is the World Council of Churches (WCC), founded in 1948 to foster dialogue, shared witness, and joint service among member denominations. The Roman Catholic Church participates in ecumenical dialogue and bilateral agreements but is not a full member of the WCC; it engages through other commissions and bilateral conversations with various churches.

Practices of ecumenism include joint prayer services, common statements on social issues, collaborative humanitarian work, and efforts toward mutual recognition of baptisms or sacraments in particular contexts. Critics argue that ecumenism may blur doctrinal distinctions, while supporters view it as essential for credible Christian witness in a plural world.