We invite you to visit our new Bluesky feed, a social media platform that replaces Twitter/X. Bluesky has reintroduced content moderation and eliminated advertizing. Follow us now on Bluesky.
Visit our WPCU pages for more Christian unity worship resources. Adapt these materials in your own settings, and print the worship service freely in your own church bulletins.
Visitez nos pages SPCU pour beaucoup des ressources de prière pour l'unité chrétienne. Adapter ces matériaux de vos paramètres et imprimer le service de culte librement dans vos bulletins d'église.
Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox leaders took a major step towards healing a 1,600‑year division when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Phanar for a celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. Both hierarchs called for renewed commitment to unity between their traditions.
In his official address at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness spoke about the relationship between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, saying that “the relationship between the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox Churches occupies a unique and privileged place within the broader ecumenical endeavour.” He detailed a path to the restoration of unity between the two Churches, and emphasized that “we have been called to move from agreement to reception, from dialogue to life, from theological convergence to sacramental and pastoral cooperation.”
The fact that the Oriental Orthodox Churches are commonly referred to as “Orthodox” causes a great deal of confusion. The unfortunate reality is that what are commonly known as the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches are not in communion with one another. The Coptic Church of Egypt, which is among the foremost of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, severed communion with the Patriarch of Constantinople (as well as with the Pope of Rome) in the latter half of the fifth century, after rejecting the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451.
Disagreement centred upon the precise understanding of the divine and human natures of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a schism ensued that persists to this day: the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa is Tawadros II, while the Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa is Theodore II. (Tawadros is the Arabic form of Theodore, but these are two different individuals!)
Since 1985, the Joint Commission of the Theological Dialogue Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church has pursued a common understanding and reconciliation between the two religious traditions, conducting dialogues whose goal, according to a 1985 statement of His Eminence Professor Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra of blessed memory and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta of the Coptic Orthodox Church of blessed memory, “would be to rediscover our common grounds in Christology and ecclesiology.”
In accord with this goal, His All-Holiness said to Pope Tawadros: “Your presence among us is a true blessing, manifesting the abiding work of the Holy Spirit, who continues to guide our Churches towards the fullness of the apostolic faith and towards the restoration of that visible unity for which our Lord Himself prayed: ‘that they all may be one.’” (John 17:21) He emphasized that “through decades of patient and sincere theological dialogue, we have come to recognize with increasing clarity that our confession of the mystery of the Incarnation is, in its essence, one and the same. The divisions that have endured for centuries do not arise from a divergence of faith in Christ, but rather from historical circumstances, linguistic differences, and cultural misunderstandings.”
This was a momentous declaration after nearly sixteen hundred years of estrangement, and His All-Holiness continued: “This recognition is not merely an academic conclusion; it is a theological reality that must find expression in the life of the Church.” He declared that “the agreements reached by our theologians cannot remain confined to texts and commissions; they must be received, embodied, and lived within our Churches—both in our historic homelands and throughout the diaspora, where so many of our faithful share common challenges, aspirations, and hopes. For if these agreements remain unreceived, our continued separation risks bearing false witness to the very convictions we have jointly affirmed.”
His All-Holiness said to Pope Tawadros: “The significance of your visit today, dear brother in Christ, lies precisely here: that we have been called to move from agreement to reception, from dialogue to life, from theological convergence to sacramental and pastoral cooperation. For in the Orthodox understanding, theology is never abstract; it is inherently doxological, ecclesial, and incarnational. What we confess must also be what we celebrate; what we proclaim must become what we live.” As such, he added: “In this spirit, we reaffirm with conviction the urgency of deepening the reception of our theological dialogues within the context of the ecclesial heritage we share, as well as the distinct traditions entrusted to each of our Churches.”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew also noted that “we are called to overcome not only theological misunderstandings, but also the spiritual, historical, and emotional burdens that have accumulated over the centuries. This great undertaking requires humility, patience, and a sacrificial readiness to bear the weight of history in order to open the way to a future of communion.”
May his beautiful and inspiring counsel be heeded, and may this ancient schism be definitively healed.
The Consultation on Common Texts supports an ecumenical Festival of Creation and makes editorial changes in the alternative texts for Holy Week, Easter Season, and early Pentecost.
The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT) held its annual meeting in Decatur, Georgia on April 20 to 21, 2026. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship hosted the meeting at its headquarters, with the fellowship’s Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley extending a welcome in person to attending CCT members. … Read more »… lire la suite »
On July 20, 2001, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) published its Guidelines for Admission to the Eucharist between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. These Guidelines open the way for competent authorities in the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East to establish procedures and provide appropriate means for the Chaldean and Assyrian faithful to receive the Eucharist of either Church under specific circumstances in cases of pastoral necessity. The principal issue for the Catholic Church in approving the decree related to the question of the validity of the Eucharist when celebrated with the Anaphora (or Eucharistic Prayer) of Addai and Mari which lacks a literal recitation of the Institution Narrative, Jesus’ words: “This is my Body, This is my Blood.” After careful study, the validity of this Anaphora was recognized by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on January 17th 2001. Subsequently approved by Pope John Paul II, this has been recognized as an audacious decision: Robert Taft, SJ, an Archimandrite in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and a consultant for the Vatican Congregation for the Oriental Churches, has called the publication of the Guidelines “the most remarkable Catholic magisterial document since Vatican II.” … Read more »… lire la suite »
There has never been a time when Jews and Christians were not talking with each other about the Bible. Well, perhaps “talking” is a bit misleading – for most of that time, Jews and Christians engaged in strenuous arguments with each other about the Bible and its meaning. Despite early attempts to sever Christianity from the Jewish Scriptures, such as by Marcion in the second century. Moreover, it has insisted that its way of reading those Scriptures, especially texts seeming to prophesy a messiah, was the only correct way. … Read more »… lire la suite »
Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp has challenged Rome to push forward with synodal reforms by announcing changes including the ordination of married men in his diocese by 2028.
The Vatican’s International Theological Commission has warned that if humanity places total trust in technology in a “world ruled by machines,” it risks replacing the “living God” with a counterfeit “virtual God.”
The assessment came in a sweeping new document, published on March 4, examining how artificial intelligence, transhumanism and other technological developments can pose profound risks to human identity and dignity. The document seeks to propose a response rooted in Christian anthropology and the Gospel.
The 48-page document, titled “Quo vadis, humanitas? Thinking about Christian anthropology in light of some scenarios for the future of humanity,” was published in Italian and Spanish after being approved by Pope Leo XIV. Its Latin title — meaning “Where are you going, humanity?” — echoes the question tradition holds was put to St. Peter before his crucifixion in Rome. … Read more »… lire la suite »
God calls every baptized person to proclaim the Good News, entrusting this missionary mandate to all. Within our missionary Church, charisms have historically developed to live out this mission in response to the needs of different times and cultures. In the present historical moment, the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (FD), now part of the Ordinary Magisterium of the Pope, has recognized the digital environment as a culture, with its own dynamics, languages, and modes of interaction. In this perspective, the Synod affirms that “digital culture constitutes a crucial dimension of the Church’s witness in contemporary culture and an emerging missionary field” (FD, no. 149).
We all, as the baptized, are called to bring the Good News to people we meet in this environment through missionary approaches that respond to its specific characteristics, engaging its opportunities while facing its challenges and risks directly. … Read more »… lire la suite »
What does it mean when a church says “I’m sorry”? “Theology of Church Apologies” from the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada invites reflection on the significance of church apologies. Drawing on scripture, theology and historical examples, it shows how apologies can help repair relationships and guide communities towards truth, healing and reconciliation.
“I’m sorry.”
Many of us know the profound healing effect of hearing these or similar words spoken, in sincerity and truth, by someone who has in some way wronged us. Many of us also know the deeply humbling feeling of being the one who offers a genuine apology.
In recent years several churches have offered formal apologies to individuals and communities of people who have been harmed – sometimes traumatically – by our words and deeds. In Canada, for example, Catholic and Anglican leaders have formally apologized for our churches’ role in the destructive system of Indian Residential Schools. … Read more »… lire la suite »
Has your faith commitment and organizing experience prepared you or someone you know for this leadership role?
The Canadian Council of Churches is seeking an individual to fill the role of General Secretary on a full-time basis for a 5-year renewable term, beginning September 1, 2026.
The Canadian Council of Churches (the Council) is a broad and inclusive ecumenical body, now representing 26 member churches including Anglican; Eastern and Roman Catholic; Evangelical; Free Church; Eastern and Oriental Orthodox; and Historic Protestant traditions. … Read more »… lire la suite »
What if footwashing were a sacrament? Of all of the things that Jesus instructed the disciples to do, why didn’t footwashing become a sacrament like the others? Thoughts like these are one of the hazards of being a theologian.
I was thinking about this strange idea this week while reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s new series of catecheses on Vatican II. Just when he is encouraging us to re-read the documents of the Council, the CCCB has issued a new National Strategy on Ecumenism. The first step in this strategy is to focus on education and formation about the church’s ecumenical teaching, beginning with the Council. … Read more »… lire la suite »