State of Ecumenism--Talk at John Leland

Friends:

I was happy to share a few thoughts on trends for the ecumenical future--with faculty and students at the John Leland Center yesterday after lunch.

As you know if you read this blog, I have a few thoughts.

This time I noted:

• The rise of third world Christianity means an increasing prominence of social justice issues in our ecumenical discussion.
• The somewhat surprising discussions and agreement of Catholics and Orthodox signal movement which is 'under the radar' of most folks. The recent statement of the North American Orthodox Catholic Dialogue is a case in point.
• Issues of personal morality need to be discussed--and have not been much up to this point.
• The cut-backs at the national level lend more importance to regional ecumenical efforts.

Peace,

John