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Te Whakawhanaungatanga i ngā Hāhi - Ecumenism & Interfaith

Ecumenism and Interfaith

“Surely the fostering of unity is a noble task which is incumbent upon all who have at heart the good of the whole human family. It is my hope that interreligious and ecumenical cooperation will demonstrate that men and women do not have to forsake their identity, whether ethnic or religious, in order to live in harmony with their brothers and sisters.”

Pope Francis - Address to Ecumenical and Inter-religious Gathering in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2015

In 2020 the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity produced an Vademecum or handbook entitled The Bishop and Christian Unity  As well as stressing the importance of Ecumenism the document concludes each section with practical guidelines to foster ecumenisim and every level of the Church community.

Auckland Diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relationships- ADCEIR

The Commission is mandated by the Bishop of Auckland to assist him, the members of the clergy and the people of the Auckland Diocese to “ensure that ecumenism and interreligious relations are organic elements of the life and mission of the diocese in all that the Church is and does” ADCEIR Mandate: July 2015.

Nature and Purpose of ADCEIR Expand

The Commission is founded on the Catholic principles set out in Unitatis Redintegratio; Nostra Aetate; and subsequent Magisterial documents.

The Commission is an integral part of the vision of the Auckland diocese to promote unity amongst the Christian family and build relationships with people of other religions. As Auckland continues to grow in its ethnic and religious diversity, ecumenical and interfaith movements become crucial in ensuring that all people, regardless of their creed, are respected and could freely exercise their faith. The Catholic Church in Auckland collaborates with other Christian communities and religious organisations to foster unity in diversity among all people who call Aotearoa New Zealand home.

Function and Membership ADCEIR Expand

In order to carry out its mandate, the Commission:

  • Implements the decisions of the Bishop and the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference concerning ecumenism and interfaith relations.
  • Maintains relations and regular liaison with the NZCBC's Committees for Ecumenism and interfaith relations, adapting recommendations to local conditions as required.
  • Promotes and participates where appropriate, in local conversations and dialogues between the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions.
  • Initiates, at least once a year, an opportunity for ecumenical prayer
  • Co-operates with other Christian traditions in ecumenical activity.
  • Promotes joint witness to the Christian faith by cooperation with other churches in education and social issues.
  • Takes initiatives with people from other religious traditions to promote mutual understanding, respect, enrichment and cooperation for the greater good of all.
  • Works with appropriate bodies to prepare guidelines and policies on issues within the Commission's mandate.
  • Represents the Diocese when appropriate on ecumenical and interreligious bodies.

The Commission is appointed by and directly accountable to the Bishop of the Diocese. Broadly based, it consists of no fewer than eight members, which should include:

The Commission meets four or five times a year, and its members have wide range of knowledge and experience in the Catholic Church’s understanding in promoting unity among Christians and building bridges with other faith traditions.

Interfaith and Ecumenical Action Expand

The work of Interfaith relationships and Ecumenism is not limited to the Diocesan Commission it is the task of all the baptised and a responsibility of all faith communities.  Some ideas to begin considering and thinking about.  Some are more ecumenical centred.

  • Newsletter notices and after-Mass "pulpit announcements" to increase ecumenical/interfaith awareness of gathered and establish
    ecumenical and interfaith relationships as a priority of the community's administration.
  • Active promotion of ecumenical and interfaith events and topics in the parish, such as WPCU, diocesan events, community events, etc.
  • Joint prayer services, activities during WPCU, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Advent ...others as local circumstances suggest.
    • Read about the  Advent Ecumenical Prayer Service held in Papakura
  • Form an ecumenical and interreligious committee that reports to the Pastoral Council
  • Obtain, disseminate and arrange formation around the four main Vatican documents on ecumenism/interreligious relations.
  • Organise visits to local Churches/places of worship, invite other denominational and faith communities to 'your place'. Share the stories, explain the features, share hospitality.
  • Communicate progress in ecumenical/interfaith work to the diocese
Ecumenism and Interfaith Networks Expand

The Commission works with various groups around Auckland and wider to promote and grow ecumenical and interfaith endeavours.

In a cooperation between members of Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, ADCEIR and the initiative Titipounamu Study and Joy, the participants were able to enjoy biblical, theological, artistic and musical input around the theme Unity Across Denominations. 

Auckland Interfaith Council

Christian Research Association

NZCBC Committee for Interfaith Relations
Catholic Centre
22-30 Hill St
PO Box 1937
Wellington 6140
Email: [email protected]
Mr Colin Macleod (Chair)

NZCBC Committee for Ecumenism
Cathedral House PO Box 4544
Chch Mail Centre Christchurch 8140
Cardinal John A Dew DD (Chair)

Resources Expand

A number of resources are available to assist in the promotion of Interfaith and Ecumenical relationship

"Promoting Interfaith Relations" from the NZCBC, click here to read and download this booklet.

Nostra Aetate: The Leaven of Good - Part III. A Video from The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Resources 2025

The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson to cover the days between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul, and therefore have a symbolic significance.

In the southern hemisphere where January is a vacation time churches celebrate the Week of Prayer around Pentecost (suggested by the Faith and Order movement in 1926), which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the Church. In Aotearoa New Zealand the Week of Prayer is celebrated between Ascension Sunday and Pentecost Sunday, which in 2025 is between 1 - 8 June.

The following resources will assist communities in planning local worship during this important week.

Introduction to the Week of Prayer Expand

The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 1 - 8 June.

During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in the Southern Hemisphere from 1 – 8 June, Christians from many different traditions and congregations around the world gather to pray for the unity of the Church.

The materials for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy. This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325AD, therefore this year is a commemoration which provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the Creed formulated during this Council. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 offers an invitation to draw on this shared heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians.

It is with this in mind that the guiding biblical text chosen is – John 11:17 - 27. The theme for the week, “Do you believe this?” (v. 26), takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus, as narrated by the evangelist John.

 

Eight Days of Prayer Expand

This prayer sheet provides a reflection on the readings for each of the eight days in light of the week of prayer for Christian Unity. It can be used by individuals, at community meetings, as prayer after communion... whatever best suits the circumstances

Order of Worship Expand

Here you can download the Order of Worship. Be creative with the readers, music and actions.

Preparation for Worship Expand

To view the instructions for those preparing for worship, Click Here

Pope Francis Homily Jan. 2025 Expand

SOLEMNITY OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL

CELEBRATION OF SECOND VESPERS
58th WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Saturday, 25 January 2025

VIEW HERE.

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