Unity among all Christians is a key concern for the Catholic Church. Ecumenism, unity or cooperation with other Christian churches, is about healing and forgiving so we can all work together as a united witness to our shared faith in Christ.
Interreligious Relations promotes prayerful dialogue and peaceful harmony between our brothers and sisters of all faiths.
"Often we think that ecumenical work is only that of theologians. It is therefore important that theologians study, they agree, and they express their disagreement: this is very important. But in the meantime, ecumenism journeys on. It journeys with Jesus, not 'my Jesus against your Jesus', but with our Jesus. The journey is simple: it consists of prayer, with the help of others. Praying together: the ecumenism of prayer, for each other and all for unity. And then, the ecumenism of work for the many who are in need, for many men and women who today suffer as a result of injustice, wars, these terrible things. … All together, we must help. Love for our neighbour. This is ecumenism. This is already unity. Unity in journeying with Jesus.”
The Diocese is committed to working for the restoration of unity among all Christians.
As Pope John Paul II wrote, “At the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church committed herself irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture, thus heeding the Spirit of the Lord,” (Ut unum sint, 3). We do this through; praying for unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ; through building relationship in a “dialogue of love”; through theological engagement, studying the scriptures and common traditions in a common search for God’s truth; and through acting together in service of our community giving witness to our shared Christian faith. In this we work with North East Churches Acting Together and other local ecumenical networks.
Local Organisations:
National / International Organisations:
Contact Us
Let’s talk? Please contact the Admin team below:
Tel: 0191 243 3316 or email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
"This sacred Council calls upon all the Catholic faithful to recognise the signs of the times and to play an informed part in the work of ecumenism."
The Interreligious Relations team works closely with a number of religions across our Diocese, supporting interfaith dialogue. We encourage cooperative, constructive and positive interaction with people of all faiths.
We promote events organised by various interfaith organisations, particularly Newcastle and Durham Council of Faiths, Voices of Faith and Focolare an organisation which supports the unity of universal brotherhood, and members of the United Hebrew Congregation, who are based in Gosforth. We also work closely with Sunderland Interfaith Council.
Our role also includes offering and advice on Interfaith matters.
The team has worked closely with schools across our Diocese, particularly regarding our annual Holocaust Memorial Commemorations, which take place in January each year.
The team also organises the annual Christian Muslim prayers for peace, which takes place in Jesmond Dene. Christian and Muslim women and young children unite in prayer to Our Blessed Lady, as both faiths share devotion to her.
“The different religions, based on their respect for each human person as a creature called to be a child of God, contribute significantly to building fraternity and defending justice in society. Dialogue between the followers of different religions does not take place simply for the sake of diplomacy, consideration or tolerance …. the goal of dialogue is to establish friendship, peace and harmony, and to share spiritual and moral values and experiences in a spirit of truth and love”. (Fratelli tutti, 271)
“The effort to seek God with a sincere heart, provided it is never sullied by ideological or self-serving aims, helps us recognize one another as travelling companions, truly brothers and sisters.”
The Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom have produced details of Christian and non-Christian Religious Festivals that occur during the calendar year. You can view them month by month by clicking here.
How to contact the Department for Formation & Mission:
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316 (office*) or 07375 934713 (mobile)
*Your call may be automatically diverted to the mobile number.
Admin office hours:
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, excluding Bank Holidays.
To see a full list of Department contacts and leads, please visit our Formation & Mission page.
