Ecumenism

and Interreligious
Dialogue
❖What is Ecumenism?
❖What is Interreligious Dialogue?
Ecumenism
It is the movement
for the unity of the
Christian
churches.
• The word ECUMENISM
comes from the Greek
word OIKOUMENE
• OIKOUMENE means the
whole inhabited earth
• The symbol for
ecumenism
shows the
Cross of Christ
above the boat
– the Church –
sailing together
on the (rough)
waters of life.
Ecumenism is a challenge to
the Christian churches to build
bridges of understanding, while
at the same time recognising
and preserving the dignity,
wealth and beauty of the
individual person’s beliefs,
customs and creeds.
Ecumenism is about
renewal within and of the
Church.
•Praying
•Working
•Studying TOGETHER
•Witnessing
•Celebrating
•Dreaming
How important is
Ecumenism?
• Looking at the 2000-year-old
history of Christianity, we
find that the Church founded
by Christ has experienced
constant pain of being
broken and fragmented into
many groups/sects/churches.
 EARLY CHRISTIANS

EGYPTIAN ROMAN EASTERN

COPTICS CATHOLICS ORTHODOX

ETHIOPIAN PROTESTANTS
CHRISTIANS
GREEK RUSSIAN
ORTHODOX ORTHODOX

LUTHERANS METHODISTS BAPTISTS EVANGELICALS MORMONS

EGYPTIAN COPTIC
ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIANS
ROMAN CATHOLIC
LUTHERANS
METHODIST
GREEK ORTHODOX
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX
This phenomenon of the
divided Churches is
contradictory to the mind
of Christ. Inspired by
Jesus, the ecumenical
movement is aimed at
promoting unity among the
Christian Churches.
INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUE
Interreligious dialogue, also
referred to as interfaith dialogue,
is about people of different faiths
coming to a mutual understanding
and respect that allows them to
live and cooperate with each other
in spite of their differences.
The term refers to cooperative
and positive interaction between
people of different religious
traditions, (i.e. "faiths") at both
the individual and institutional level.
Each party remains true to
their own beliefs while
respecting the right of
the other to practice their
faith freely.
For example, between neighbors, in
schools and in our places of work - it can
take place in both formal and informal
settings. In Philippines, Muslims and
Christians live on the same streets; use
the same shops, ride the same buses and
study in the same schools. Normal life
means that we come into daily contact
with each other.
Dialogue therefore, is not just
something that takes place on
an official or academic level
only – it is part of daily life
during which different cultural
and religious groups interact
with each other directly.
WHAT DIALOGUE AIMS
TO ACHIEVE
✓Increase mutual understanding and good
relations.
✓Identify causes of tension in Christian
Muslim relations. These are often economic,
social or political rather than religious.
✓Build understanding and confidence to
overcome or prevent tensions.
✓Break down the barriers and stereotypes
which lead to distrust, suspicion and bigotry.
Interfaith Dialogue is
oAbout talking away or brushing aside
differences. It does not aim at coming to a
common belief.
oA way of converting the other. In dialogue
each party remains true to their own faith.
oA space for arguing, attacking or disproving
the beliefs of the other. It is about
increasing mutual understanding and trust.
 Performance Tasks
CRITERIA SCORE
Content/Originality 15
(15/12/9 points)
Clarity and Organization of Ideas 10
(10/7/4 points)
Grammar and Spelling 5
(5/3/1 points)
Total Score 30
How important are Ecumenism
and Interreligious Dialogue in
our life? Explain and Provide a
scenario that will support your
answer.