Promoting Christian Unity: pastoral leaders study the common ground

by Jane Bernard Hanson

In his document on the new millennium, Pope John Paul II called the entire church to a deeper understanding of ecumenism and to significant prayer for Christian unity. "Among the most fervent petitions which the church makes to the Lord during this important time . . . is that unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until they reach full communion." (As the Third Millennium Draws Near #16)

Season 4 of RENEW 2000 is all about ecumenism. Fittingly enough, this year’s spring Pastoral Leader Days will be all about ecumenism. Opportunities for formation and enrichment are being planned for participants in RENEW 2000, Parish Core Communities, small group leaders, and pastoral leaders. One opportunity is spring Pastoral Leader Days scheduled for February 5, 6, and 7, 2001 in Willmar. The second opportunity is a workshop to be held on Monday, February 5th at the Church of St. Aloysius in Olivia. This workshop is open to all interested people of the diocese and will be the major training and enrichment gathering for Parish Core Communities and small group leaders for Season 4 of RENEW 2000. There are three goals for both of these events. The first is to offer practical, pastoral resources to parishes that will help them begin and sustain dialogue and cooperation with neighboring churches of different Christian traditions. The second goal is to become familiar with historical events that led to the sad divisions in Christianity, the church’s basic teaching on ecumenism and the vocabulary of ecumenism. The third goal is to deepen our understanding and appreciation of ecumenism as an integral part of being Catholic Christian. In other words, ecumenism is not an optional parish activity; it is an essential attitude for all Catholics.

Margaret O’Gara will be with us for both events as presenter and facilitator. Margaret teaches at the Faculty of Theology in the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto and St. John’s University School of Theology. As a Catholic she has been active in ecumenical dialogue for over twenty years. She has served as a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada and as president of the North American Academy of Ecumenists. Margaret brings to us a wealth of academic and pastoral experience and knowledge for these important gatherings.

Jane Bernard Hanson is director of Worship and Spiritual Life for the Diocese of New Ulm.