Christian Ecumenism

Well-known by now, the Taize community promotes Christian ecumenism and the meetings where they pray and sing regardless of religious barriers show the essence of Christian community, which should be based on love. Christian Ecumenism is generally defined as the doctrine which refers to mutual cooperation, understanding and unity of different religious denominations within the Christian movement. These denominations have different views on ecumenism.

Thus, one perspective on ecumenism belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, known to be the eldest Christian Church. Here are some quotes from Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Ut Unum Sint (25 May 1995):

Christians cannot underestimate the burden of long-standing misgivings inherited from the past, and of mutual misunderstandings and prejudices. Complacency, indifference and insufficient knowledge of one another often make this situation worse. Consequently, the commitment to ecumenism must be based upon the conversion of hearts and upon prayer, which will also lead to the necessary purification of past memories. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Lord's disciples, inspired by love, by the power of the truth and by a sincere desire for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation, are called to re-examine together their painful past and the hurt which that past regrettably continues to provoke even today."

Contrary to the Catholic attitude of accepting and recognizing the sacraments performed by Orthodox Churches as being valid, Orthodox do not accept this idea and prefer to baptize those coming from the Catholic churches. The same situation is to be found at Protestants, of which very few accept ecumenical concepts and ideologies.

At any rate, such an example of ecumenism can be found in the community of Taizé, France. This place is dedicated to youth from all Christian denominations all around the world, thus promoting Christian ecumenism. The main idea of this community is for young people to make a "pilgrimage of trust on earth." It means to create a place of faith reconciliation, peace and harmony. We cannot deny that our separations quite often contradict Christ’s intention of us "being as one". Ecumenism seems to imply sharing our own spiritual inheritance and God-given gifts, based on the fact that we simply need each other, that we can enrich each other culturally and spiritually, we can work together on the side of good. This probably would be more important for our churches then their constant attempt to built up their specific identity and doctrines…

The services are intended for those who seek a deep spiritual environment and like to take refuge in prayer and quiet meditations. Here are the activities taking place during a typical youth meeting: prayers, Bible studies, discussions in small groups, singing, all sorts of workshops, and, of course, the daily meals.

The most representative figure of Taize is Brother Roger:
"Since my youth, I think that I have never lost the intuition that community life could be a sign that God is love, and love alone. Gradually the conviction took shape in me that it was essential to create a community with men determined to give their whole life and who would always try to understand one another and be reconciled, a community where kindness of heart and simplicity would be at the centre of everything."

Unfortunately, he was killed in 2005 by a mentally disturbed woman. He was replaced by Brother Alois, who tries to keep up the ecumenical spirit there.

Apart from the summer meetings, those preceding Easter or Christmas, there are also meetings held around the New Year’s Eve, and these meetings are organized in big European cities, fact which again attracts many young people thirsty for spiritual enrichment.

Another interesting aspect related to the Taize community is that it was usually frequented by the famous French philosopher, Paul Ricœur. Although he was Protestant and the brothers in Taize are known to belong to the Catholic Church, he appears to have found ways of interaction and communication beyond religion, by simply resorting to basic Christian principles.
"And if religion, if religions have a meaning, it is to liberate that core of goodness in human beings, to go looking for it where it has been completely buried. Now here in Taizé I see goodness breaking through, in the community life of the brothers, in their calm and discreet hospitality, and in the prayer."

Now what we can do is pray for unity of faith beyond denomination, inspired by our common, unique Christian Holy Trinity.
By Claudia Miclaus