Catholic Principles of Ecumenism

Chapter 3 described the elements that define ecumenism, distinguishing this theme from other activities or realities and situating ecumenism in the context of the Church’s mission. Chapter 4 examined the Catholic vision of ecclesial communion, focusing also on the types of divisions that wound Church unity. We will now analyze Catholic thought on the reestablishment of unity—that is, on ecumenism in the proper sense.¹ The present study seeks to offer a Catholic consideration of ecumenism. Such a perspective does not entirely match, and at times is very different from, the conception of ecumenism on the part of other churches.