Bosjes Chapel, above the tranquil Breede Valley, Western Cape, South Africa. In an increasingly fragmented world, ecumenism offers a compelling witness that the gospel has the power to overcome historical, cultural, and theological divisions. The modern ecumenical movement does not seek to erase denominational identities or create a single worldwide institution. Rather, it seeks what …
The ecumenical call to Christian unity
Ecumenism is the movement among Christians to seek greater unity, cooperation, and reconciliation across the many traditions of the Christian faith. Derived from the Greek word oikoumene, meaning “the whole inhabited world,” the term originally referred to the universal church spread throughout the world. Today, ecumenism encompasses every effort to deepen relationships between churches, heal historic …
Ecumenism as a response to the gospel of Jesus Christ
The ecumenical movement is often associated with an image of Jesus and the faithful on a journey in a boat. Ecumenism is often misunderstood as an attempt to minimise theological differences or merge churches into a single institution or movement. In reality, ecumenism is a theological response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians pursue …
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What is local ecumenism?
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 …
The path to unity
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, …
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