Ecumenism: Barack Obama and Benedict XVI

President Obama started his first full day in office with an Ecumenical Prayer Service at the National Cathedral. This is of course a tradition that is of long standing. However, it seems the President and his staff went the extra mile to create a truly unique and diverse ecumenical service. There were representatives of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Blacks and women were included. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Washington, the presiding Episcopalian Bishop, and the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church participated. Evangelical and main line protestant denominations were represented. The principal homily was given by a woman. Clearly there was an outreach to all believers that they be included in recognizing and blessing the work that the President was about to undertake. Perhaps there may be some lessons for Pope Benedict XVI in the need to fully embrace the call to ecumenism as envisioned by the Second Vatican Council.

An outgrowth of the Second Vatican Council in the mid 60's was the growth of the Ecumenical Movement. There were council documents describing the relation of the Catholic Church to other Christians and also to Jews and other world religions. In the United States there were meetings, dialogues, ecumenical services, and special prelates assigned to further the movement of ecumenism. The focus of course was the Gospel of John and the directive of Jesus at the last supper 'that all may be one.'

Over time enthusiasm seemed to wane as there appeared to be few tangible results. However, more progress had actually been made than is generally known. One result at the time that affected many of my friends in my home town of Dunbar, West Virginia, was that the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB) ceased to exist as it became subsumed into the United Methodist Church. A minor point, perhaps, but I always believed it demonstrated the essence of ecumenism that a particular denonmination was willing to sacrifice its own identity in order that all may be one. Others might do well to heed that example.

Additionally, many official dialogues were established that involved the Catholic Church meeting with Anglicans and with Lutherans. These groups explored such issues as the Eucharist, papal authority, the validity of priestly ordinations, etc. While many disagreements of course remained the degree of agreement on many of these issues was remarkable. Just one example was an agreement between Catholics and Lutherans on the doctrine of Justification by Faith. The notion that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone has always been a major stumbling block between Catholics and Lutherans since the days of Martin Luther. Yet this commision was able to discern that Catholics and Lutherans actually believe the same thing when it comes to faith and salvation. Dialogue does matter.

Today progress in Ecumenism is essentially nonexistent in the Church. Pope Benedict XVI seems fearful of interchanges with other faiths. He does not even want to call other Christian communities Churches, and seems to fear that such contact may diminish the identity of Catholicism as the only true Church. Fear that a non-Catholic may partake of the Eucharist holds us back from embodying the message of charity which is the Eucharist. This reality suggests that just as in the presidency we are moving to a new generation of leadership, so also in the Church, we may have need of leadership that is not afraid to engage with the world in which we live.

His recent interview with El Arabyia is another example of the ecumenical thrust of President Obama's approach to people of different faiths, ethnicity, and culture. He states and exemplifies the characteristics which are critical for meaningful ecumenism. He speaks of listening and treating everyone with respect. He notes that you cannot enter such a dialogue or negotiation with an intent to dictate the terms of the relationship. Even going back to the campaign he constantly emphasized the need to avoid pre conditions and approach any such relationship with an open mind. Such traits are valuable in all human interactions, in world diplomacy, and in ecumenical relations.

Too much time has been wasted by the diminution of our ecumenical endeavors. A bold initiative is needed instead of the timidity that marks our Church today. Are we afraid we might lose our faith? Is it that weak? Are we afraid others might have something to teach us? The whole idea in entering into ecumenism is to put aside pre conceptions and have a true dialogue. John Paul II exemplified his most core belief in insisting on the worth, value and dignity of every human being. He never failed to stress the importance of this point no matter where he may have traveled. It is impossible to truly value the individual and not believe that they need to be listened to, and that they have something of value to say. That can't be done if one is clinging desperately to viewpoints that are holding us back.

I believe the time has come for the Church to begin that bold adventure of seeking engagement with the Christian Churches with whom we share so much of our faith. There is much that can still be derived from this nearly defunct ecumenical movement that is positive. Fear of the possibility of change is keeping us from making progress. Yet we are never as true to the best that is in us, than when we let go of our fears and reach out to others with a genuine desire 'that all may be one.'