Ecumenism
Ecumenism (also ëcumenism, oecumenism,
œcumenism,
or even eucumenism) now
mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater
religious unity or cooperation.
In its broadest sense, this unity or cooper-
ation may refer to a worldwide religious
unity; by the advocation of a greater sense of
shared spirituality across the three Abraham-
ic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Most commonly, however, ecumenism is used
in a more narrow meaning; referring to a
greater cooperation among different reli-
gious denominations of a single one of these
faiths.
The word is derived from Greek οἰκουμένη
(oikoumene), which means "the inhabited
world", and was historically used with specif-
ic reference to the Roman Empire. Today, the
word is used predominantly by and with ref-
erence to Christian denominations and Chris-
tian Churches separated by doctrine, history,
and practice. Within this particular context,
the term ecumenism refers to the idea of a
Christian unity in the literal meaning: that
there should be a single Christian Church.
Christian ecumenism and
interfaith pluralism
Christian ecumenism, in the narrower sense
referred to above, is the promotion of unity
or cooperation between distinct religious
groups or denominations of Christianity.
Christian ecumenism is distinguished from
interfaith pluralism. Ecumenism in this broad
sense is called religious pluralism, distin-
guished from ecumenism within a faith move-
ment. The interfaith movement strives for
greater mutual respect, toleration, and co-op-
eration among the world religions. Ecumen-
ism as interfaith dialogue between represent-
atives of diverse faiths, does not necessarily
intend reconciling their adherents into full,
organic unity with one another but simply to
promote better relations. It promotes tolera-
tion, mutual respect and cooperation, wheth-
er
among Christian denominations,
or
between Christianity and other faiths.
For some Catholics it may, but not always,
have the goal of reconciling all who profess
Christian faith to bring them into