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Christ Is Calling Us to Dialogue
The history of Christianity is filled with periods of conflict and challenge. Our times are no different. In our families, political media, and even faith communities, we experience painful misstatements and misunderstandings which can be heartbreaking. Yet, we are fortunate in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to have a Commission whose ministry is that of bringing people together – of healing centuries of misunderstanding and creating community with people of different beliefs and values. It is the Commission of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. As its name implies, the Commission’s role is to understand better and work better with fellow Christians who are not Catholic (ecumenical) and with all others who are not Christian (interreligious). If we listen closely and learn respectfully, we find that we have more in common with each other than we think.
Every day we may rub shoulders and work with people whose faith is different from ours, yet we often miss opportunities to engage in deeper conversations and build meaningful relationships. Jesus’ examples in the Gospels teaches us how to effectively be with people outside our comfort zones - with a spirit of openness, acceptance and, even forgiveness.
The Archdiocese Commission of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs takes its mission from Jesus’ Priestly prayer at the Last Supper, “…that all may be one, even as you, Father, in me and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Jn 17:21) Our divisions and animosities are a countersign to what the Good News demands and they openly contradict what Jesus expects from His faithful.
The Commission of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs takes its mandate from our Lord’s Priestly prayer to work toward the restoration of unity among all Christians and “through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions...acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral goods found among them...”(Nostra Aetate, 2) The building of these ecumenical and interreligious relationships, since the early days of the Church, has always been a prerequisite for effective evangelization of the Good News. We are reminded by Pope John Paul II that, “...it is absolutely clear that ecumenism, the movement promoting Christian Unity, is not just some sort of ‘appendix’ which is added to the Church’s traditional activity. Rather, ecumenism is an organic part of her life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does.” (Ut Unum Sint, 1995) The Church in Her Interreligious collaborations also has “the task of fostering unity and love... giving primary consideration to what humans have in common and to what promotes fellowship among them.” (Nostra Aetate, 1)
The Commission of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs’ areas of service include Ecumenical Formation, Spiritual Ecumenism, Christian Unity, Gospel Justice and Interreligious Affairs. Its work is to provide our Catholic parishes, both pastors and “people in the pews” with educational presentations (Zoom available) and opportunities to participate skillfully in the work of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
If you and members of your parish are interested in more information or find yourselves called to this ministry, you can contact the Commission’s coordinator, Rose Garcia at rogarcia@archdiosf.org or 505.831.8243. Also, visit the archdiocese website at www.archdiosf.org, click on Offices, then Ecumenical.