Bishop Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, Church of Norway offered this reflection during the online morning prayer for Ecumenical Centre staff. This week in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray with the people and churches of Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
During an online meeting on 3 February, the Executive Committee of the Joint Working Group between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Roman Catholic Church focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ecclesial life and ecumenical relations in different local contexts.
During an online meeting on 3 February 2021, the Executive Committee of the Joint Working Group between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Roman Catholic Church focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ecclesial life and ecumenical relations in different local contexts.
Prayers for unity took on a different look and feel this year, but they weren’t stopped by widespread restrictions on face-to-face gatherings. From prayer cards to personal reflections, online gatherings to new connections, the images worldwide convey the spiritual richness of an ecumenical family that came together in prayer.
At the end of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, even though we could not be in Rome as we had hoped, my fellow students at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Bossey Ecumenical Institute and I were thrilled to be able to participate online with two services: the WCC’s Global Ecumenical Prayer and the Vatican’s Vespers for the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul live from the Basilica of St Pauls Outside-the-Walls. Both services reflected on a reading from John 15 – from which was taken this year’s Week of Prayer theme: “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit.”
As they celebrated their graduation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Bossey Ecumenical Institute on 26 January, students reflected on their one-of-a-kind experience, and how they will continue their ecumenical work as they go forth into the world.
An Ecumenical Vademecum for Bishops, first drafted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity then published by the dicastery with the blessing of Pope Francis, promotes ecumenism within the Catholic Church and within its relationships with other Christians.
In a culmination of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held its first ever online global ecumenical prayer on 25 January, drawing attendees from across the world who came together in a spirit of hope.
Pastoral greeting of H.B. Archbishop Prof. Dr Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania at the Global Prayer concluding the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 25 January, 2021.
Words of welcome by the WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca at the Global Prayer concluding the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 25 January, 2021.
