Conciliarism and ecumenism are one path

Catarina Agorilios – Vatican City

It was announced at the press conference on the work of the complex on 10 October that 342 members had participated in the morning session and that they had worked exclusively in smaller groups. The head of the Holy See Press Chamber, Paolo Ruffini, said it began with some methodological indicators and the encouragement of creativity and “abundance,” a word he explained was used in the Spanish term “desborde” used by post-pope popes. The false apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia in the sense of abundance rooted in deep concern and vital pursuit.

That afternoon, Synod participants will discuss the third module of the working tool, the “Pathways” section, Secretary Sheila Peres said.

Synod and Ecumenism

The guests during the press conference were Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Unit for Promoting Christian Unity, Orthodox Metropolitan Job, Angelic Bishop Warner, and Mennonite Pastor Graber, to talk about the ecumenical movement. Cardinal Koch said that the synodal path is an ecumenical path, and that the ecumenical path can only be synodal. He stressed that the ecumenical dimension is one of the most important aspects of this Synod through the exchange of talents, with the conviction that there is no Church so rich that it does not need the contributions of other churches and no Church so poor that it cannot offer anything.

Ecumenical Vigil, October 11

The Cardinal recalled the ecumenical vigil that was held on Friday, October 11, in cooperation with the Taizé community and representatives of various Christian churches in the Piazza Protomartiri Romani in Rome. He said that the prayers during the meeting were based on two texts from the council that were written exactly 60 years ago: the Doctrinal Constitution Lumen gentium And the ecumenical decree Reunification of the unit. He explained that the place chosen for the meeting was the place where Peter was martyred, according to tradition, and we remind us that holiness is the surest path to unity.

Ecumenical dialogue

Metropolitan Ayoub Besidia, co-chair of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and Orthodoxy, said that a bilateral dialogue that has been taking place for 20 years on issues such as primacy, collegiality, offices and collegiality is the dialogue between Orthodoxy and Catholics. This dialogue brought them closer together and reconciled them with the goal of being fruitful in the inner life of every church.

Conversation in the soul

Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner, co-chair of the Anglo-Welsh Anglican-Roman Catholic Committee, dwells on the experience of relationships, which represents the biggest difference from the councils of the Church of England. Bishop Warner pointed out that, unlike Anglican councils, Catholic councils are characterized by prayer and silence and, above all, are not legislative. This is a protected space where they can open our hearts to each other, in conversation with the spirit, to look creatively and courageously at the challenges of our century, he said.

Christian unity – a reality

Anne Cathy Graber, pastor of the Mennonite World Conference and secretary for ecumenical relations, attending the synod for the first time, said she was surprised by the invitation to the synod of bishops because she belongs to a little-known minority church. It emerged from the Reformation in the sixteenth century and was characterized by believers' baptism and active nonviolence. She said that her participation says a lot about the Synod, and that every vote matters. Christian unity is not just a promise of tomorrow, but it is already a reality here — a people walking and striving together, Pastor Graber said.