A few weeks ago, a Secrets of the dead The episode sucked me in mid-program when I saw that they were exploring the ruins of a basilica believed to be the location of the Council of Nicaea. It turned out not to be the case, but this episode reminded me of the outcome of that advice. The one who gave birth to the Nicene Creed, which most of the faithful recite every Sunday. The one who says: “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. »
So this begs the question: If we all profess the same creed, why can’t we worship together?
It is a question fraught with complex answers, addressed by theologians through ecumenical dialogue, from Greek and Latin roots meaning “home” and “universal”.
We must not let the challenge of the question eclipse the hope of unity that burns eternally in the Body of Christ, in response to Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one that the world may believe” ( see John 17:21). .
If the first century evangelical writer felt the need for such prayer, perhaps we can realize that divisions in the Body of Christ are not a new phenomenon! The wounds they inflict are also not fatal.
We are in the midst of the global celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. For over 100 years, the period from January 18 to 25 has been observed as such. It is important to be clear: focusing on Christian unity is not a far-fetched proposition. WPCU does not position Christianity against any religion, but serves as an annual touchstone for churches that recognize a baptism into Christ to renew our commitment to finding our way to one another.
Although the Catholic Church has been active in planning and promoting this annual celebration at least since the 1960s, in my experience it is rare to find Catholic communities aware of its importance. Individual Catholics, yes. But I don’t see much importance on this at the parish level. I hope I’m just misinformed.
The good news is that there is very little stopping us from achieving this unity. We can each start. Right away.
This was brought home to me in a conversation with Dr. Jon Nilson for my congregation’s monthly podcast, FLOWcast. (Shameless plug: The episode comes out January 23 and can be found wherever you get your podcasts by searching @flowcastlisten.) A veteran of ecumenical dialogue, particularly with the Anglican Communion, Jon taught theology for many years at Loyola Chicago.
In preparing the podcast, I hoped to avoid the weeds of an esoteric conversation of little interest to our audience. I think we did it. In fact, we ended up calling the episode “Coffee Ecumenism.” Our most important conclusion is that while it is important for different Christian churches to have high-level dialogue about theological nuances and historical divisions, true church unity will be built – and is being built. to be built – at the local level – from person to person. in coffee shops and church basements, in homeless shelters and city parks, in marriages and families – from one member of the body of Christ to another.
“We have all the high-level documents we need at this point,” Jon said. “We have to be very intentional in building our relationships with the grassroots. »
Jon and I ended our conversation with one last great hope and passion for ecumenical dialogue: racial justice in our churches. “There will be no visible unity among the churches until we resolve the racial question which is the original sin of our country,” he said. “The African American churches are absolutely right to say, ‘Why should we join with these churches that have not even recognized sin, much less committed wholeheartedly to doing something about it? ? »
This desire for interracial healing in our churches echoes desires expressed at the January general meeting of the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association, which is mentioned in the podcast. This is an important goal and, given the context here in Springfield, urgent.
I turned my attention to WPCU this year for this reason, among others.
More importantly, this historic moment. Monday was the national observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And the inauguration of a criminal president who, if we take him at his word, is determined to sow chaos and division. We sorely need the witness of Christian unity at this time.
And because the final document of the 16th General Synod of Bishops, which ended last October, gives renewed hope for the unity of the Church by opening the way to a debate on papal supremacy, long a stone of stumbling block in ecumenical dialogue.
Finally, this year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the origin of our precious common creed. As John Oxenham’s beautiful hymn reminds us, our service in the name of this God, Jesus, is “the golden cord that binds mankind closely.”
May we be thus connected.
Sister Beth Murphy, OP, is the communications director for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield.