by Adèle Brodeur

Adèle Brodeur is Assistant Director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism

Ce document est aussi disponible en français : Oecuménisme et dialogue interreligieux.

Our post-modern society is both pluralistic and multifaith, and offers different values and visions of the world. Immigrants who have chosen to settle in Canada and refugees who have come here seeking asylum have enriched us with their presence, their culture and their religious traditions. In recent years these new cultural communities have developed the necessary structures to ensure the transmission of their heritage. Our major urban centres therefore feature Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist temples, mosques and other places of worship along with Christian churches and Jewish synagogues. These places of worship also serve as community centres.

In order to enter into dialogue and have fruitful exchanges with members of the other religions present in our society, it is a good idea to study our experiences of dialogue so far. Our first experiences were ecumenical, and then expanded to interfaith dialogue; the Christian-Jewish Dialogue in Montreal has existed since the 1960s and the Montreal Interfaith Council was formed at the beginning of the 1990s. There are also dialogue groups between Christians and Muslims, Muslims and Jews, and others.

This issue deals with our experience of ecumenical dialogue. A series of four articles invite us to reflect on the meaning of ecumenism as well as on ecumenical dialogue and its impact on interfaith dialogue. Douglas Hall's article refers to the contemporary ecumenical movement, a century of encounter and striving for greater unity. From this Christian experience of ecumenism, the author draws four principles that provide a foundation of theoretical and practical wisdom for ecumenical dialogue and which can guide us in our practice of interfaith dialogue.

Samuel Kobia's article reveals the differences and even tensions that Christians have experienced and may experience in ecumenical dialogue. He reminds us that these tensions are often more related to ethnic matters, social inequality or poverty than to theological questions. He encourages us to take an attitude of repentance, humility and authenticity regarding the Gospel message so that Christian witness can be a source of hope in our world.

Alyson Barnett-Cowan's article reminds us of the importance and urgency of dialogue among members of the same denomination in order to re-examine their priorities and responsibilities and pursue a commitment to seek unity with their Christian brothers and sisters through authentic ecumenical dialogue.

Finally, Helmut Harder's article presents a fruitful example of ecumenical dialogue. He reviews the highlights of the 2003 report of the Mennonite-Catholic International Dialogue. The members of this dialogue met around the theme "Toward a Healing of Memories". At the end of five years of meetings the final report of the dialogue was entitled: "Called Together to be Peacemakers"

Thank you to our authors for these lectures given as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations for the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism (Douglas Hall and Samuel Kobia) and the Forum on Ecumenical Dialogues held in Ottawa in October 2004 (Alyson Barnett-Cowan and Helmut Harder). They have given us the privilege of publishing these reflections to deepen our understanding of how ecumenical dialogue has contributed to and had an impact on interfaith dialogue. May reading this issue encourage us in our common efforts, brothers and sisters of the world, to establish fruitful and lasting dialogue with each other.

(Translation: Belva Webb)