Is ecumenism dead? Is there any left? Is there any hope for Catholics? For anyone?
At the recent North American Academy of Liturgy meeting, I found myself describing the “isolation” of Catholics, and Catholic ignorance of other traditions and rites. My Protestant brothers and sisters looked at me with some sympathy, but not all their experiences are the same.
Since my profound ecumenical experiences at my undergraduate institution (Valparaiso University), I have not again experienced a truly ecumenical faith community. After I graduated and began working with more “Catholic” circles, my insistence that ecumenism was important was met by some with “what’s the point?” as a response.
My discouragement and wonder continue today with the news that another ecumenical venture has been “banned” in the archdiocese of Portland, Oregon. The community known as Spirit of Grace, in Beaverton, OR, has been an ecumenical venture between Roman Catholics and ELCA Lutherans since its founding in 1986. They may no longer celebrate Mass together.
Now, acknowledging that we cannot “make” communion happen when communities are not in communion with one another, why cannot we still pray together? Even if the act of sacramental communion runs into walls—with a Catholic asking for a blessing from a Lutheran pastor, or a Lutheran taking the precious blood to his lips, but not drinking it—why cannot we commune together at the table of the Word, join together in prayer and petition, raise our voices in song, and celebrate Christian fellowship?
Maybe ecumenism is dead. But Jesus isn’t. And I’m pretty sure he’s hoping that all might be one.
To read more about this community and the challenges of hoping for Christian unity, see here.