Ecumenical Update

7 May 2009

The latest news from the Clifton Diocese Ecumenical Commission. Chair Anne Doyle writes for cliftondiocese.com. 

I don’t know why it always surprises me when things seem to come together and you find that you are doing things that are all connected.

For example: the Committee for Christian Unity is working on leaflets on practical ecumenism. These are going to be very down to earth leaflets with lots of practical suggestions.

I had an invitation from the Diocese of Southwark Ecumenical Commission to address a gathering on basic ecumenism. How can a parishioner be ecumenical? Suppose you are asked to be a parish representative or contact on the local Churches Together group? What do you need to know?

Then I had an invitation from the English College in Rome to address the students on practical living ecumenism. What is it really like on the ground, the joys and sorrows, the sensitivities and pitfalls?

So the drafts of the leaflets are arriving to be checked before the next meeting. I’ve been to Aylesford Friary and addressed 67 people - that’s a good turnout. I’m off to Italy on Monday to spend a few days with friends and then on to Rome to the English College.

As you can imagine I’ve been beavering away writing notes and getting handouts ready, wondering what I’ve forgotten and what is necessary and what is not.

This is all grist to the mill. Each of the three above help get my brain in gear and each feeds into the other. Hopefully somewhere along the line with the help of the Holy Spirit some listener may get a little inspiration! Please remember all these endeavours in your prayers.

Last month's ecumenical update is still online.

Anne Doyle