JULY 15, 2005

New report released on Roman Catholic participation in national councils and reo’s

            “Inspired by the same vision”: Roman Catholic participation in national and regional councils of churches, recently was released jointly by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  The text was prepared by a sub-committee of the Joint Working Group (JWG) co-chaired by Rev. Fr. Thomas Michel SJ and Massachusetts Council of Churches executive director Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler.  The Joint Working Group is a body mandated to facilitate cooperation between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church.  The JWG recommends that the text be circulated widely to ncc’s, regional ecumenical organizations (reo’s), and catholic episcopal conferences.  Especially in regions where catholic conferences are not yet members of councils of churches, they are urged to translate the text where necessary (it is being released in English, Spanish, German, and French) and use it as a topic for dialogue. 

The last international consultation on RC membership in councils occurred in 1993.  The Joint Working Group has urged the partnering bodies to hold another consultation as soon as feasible.

            In the introduction to “Inspired by the same vision,” the JWG observes that “Many councils of churches are struggling with a variety of issues that, in some cases, also are vexing their member churches, such as trying to clarify anew purpose and direction; seeking to capture the imagination of new generations, and finding the financial resources needed to meet the expectations of members and the demands of common ministry… 

Because specific questions about Roman Catholic participation are being raised in the conciliar context, this document will examine some systemic issues that councils of churches are facing.  Some of these are inherent in the very nature of councils.  Some are new problems in a world that has changed significantly since councils first were formed.  This is the contemporary environment in which we are shining a lens on particular questions.”

The text includes a detailed history of Roman Catholic participation in national councils and reo’s, reflections on the values of membership, and a frank look at challenges based on concrete experiences.  It poses stimulating questions intended to prod bodies to take a fresh look at issues in their own context.  An appendix lists all the places where the Roman Catholic Church is a member of an ncc.  Out of 120 national councils around the world, the RC Church is a member of 70.

The Joint Working Group will be marking its 40^th anniversary this fall, with a November gathering in Geneva to assess the past scope of its work, its present status, and hopes for the future.