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"Interchurch Families" is a term coined to refer to Christian couples who come
from two different churches yet participate in each other's church to varying
extents. There are national and local associations of interchurch families
around the world. The Association of Interchurch Families in the UK is perhaps
the oldest English speaking association. Other associations in France, Germany,
Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Northern Ireland have been actively engaged in
reflection and education regarding issues of pastoral concern to interchurch
couples. The associations in Canada, the USA, and Australia are a more recent
development.
At the world level there is now an
Interchurch Families International Network
(IFIN). In addition to coordinating communication between the national groups,
the IFIN also maintains contacts with various ecumenical and ecclesiastical offices. The IFIN has a Theological Working Group
that is currently studying the theological prospects of Vatican II's description
of the family as "domestic church."
Documents from Interchurch Families
- Interchurch Families and Christian Unity (Rome, 2003)
"This paper was formally adopted by the Second World Gathering of
Interchurch Families held at the Mondo Migliore Centre near Rome, 24-28 July 2003. It is
the work of representatives of associations, networks and groups of interchurch families
in various countries: English-speaking groups in Britain and Ireland, Australia, Canada
and the United States; French-speaking groups in France and Switzerland, German-speaking
groups in Germany and Austria, together with Italian groups. Some of these associations
and groups were founded in the 1960's; others have been formed more recently." [Deutsch,
Français,
Italiano]
- Les foyers
interconfessionels et l'unité Chrétienne (Rome 2003)
« Ce document a été adopté par le deuxième Rassemblement
Mondial des Foyers Mixtes qui a eu lieu au centre de rencontres de Mondo Migliore près de
Rome du 24 au 28 juillet 2003. Il a été rédigé par des représentants d'associations,
de réseaux, et de groupes de foyers mixtes de différents pays : des groupes
anglophones de Grande-Bretagne, Irlande, Australie, Canada et Etats-Unis ; des
groupes francophones de France et de Suisse ; des groupes germanophones d'Allemagne
et d'Autriche, ainsi que des groupes italiens. Certains de ces groupes ou associations ont
été fondés dès les années 1960, d'autres plus récemment. » [Deutsch, English,
Italiano]
-
Sacramental Resource
Packs
Information packages prepared by the Association of Interchurch Families in
England. These packs represent the guidelines and regulations of the churches
in England. They are helpful for people outside of England, but local policies
should be investigated before making decisions on any of these important
issues.
-
Interchurch Families and the Quest for Unity (2000)
by Ray and Fenella Temmerman
-
One Bread, One Body: A Commentary from an Interchurch
Family Point of View (1999)
by Ruth Reardon
-
Message final : Rassamblement internationale des Foyers Mixtes (Genève 1998)
Rassemblée au Conseil oecuménique des Eglises, à Genève, du 23 au 28 juillet 1998, 200 personnes, Foyers mixtes, enfants de Foyers mixtes, prètres et pasteurs, venus d'une quinzaine de pays et de trois continents, proposent, au terme de leurs échanges,
ce message.
-
Of Sign and Sacrament (1998)
by Ray Temmerman
-
Ut Unum Sint: An Initial Response
(1995)
Issued by the Association of Interchurch Families (in England) on May 31,
1995.
Documents from ecumenical commissions, leaders, and
study groups
