Thoughts on faith, culture, and public life.
The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions, Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches, Bossey, Switzerland, November 2023. By Rod Benson Genuine fellowship between leaders of different religious traditions is crucial, generative, and beautiful to observe. At the same time, such relationships can be hard to sustain without concerted effort by all parties …
Continue reading "Working together across difference: Ten practices for ecumenical leaders"
Murray River mouth and Coorong lagoon system near Goolwa, South Australia. By Rod Benson One of the most significant principles in Catholic social teaching is the doctrine of subsidiarity. In broad terms, subsidiarity holds that responsibilities should be exercised by persons and smaller communities when they are capable of doing so, while larger institutions should …
Continue reading "Subsidiarity and Uniting Church ecclesiology"
Invocation + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Pause for reflection Good morning, heavenly Father.We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe. Good morning, Lord Jesus.We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world. Good morning, Holy Spirit.We worship you, sanctifier of the people …
Continue reading "Morning prayer for Wednesday 9 September 2026"
Local ecumenism is the practice of Christian unity at the level of a neighbourhood, town, city, or region. Rather than being driven primarily by national church leaders or international theological dialogues, local ecumenism brings together Christians from different denominations to pray, learn, serve, and witness together in their own communities. It is the lived expression …
Speech by Rev Dr Rod Benson to NSW Ecumenical Council Fundraising Dinner, Coptic Orthodox Church, Guildford, Sydney, Friday 13 June 2025. Esteemed bishops, ministers, pastors, priests, deacons, members of religious orders, sisters and brothers in Christ, ladies and gentlemen: It is a wonderful privilege to serve you as General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council, …
