Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

MANDATE/GOALS FOR THE COMMITTEE

The committee assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, to provide guidance and propose specific approaches for ecumenical and interreligious dialogues. It determines concrete ways of acting in accordance with the Decrees on Ecumenism and on Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council and with other ordinances and legitimate customs, taking account of the time, place, and persons with which they are concerned but also the good of the universal Church.

This mandate includes the following areas of responsibility: Ecumenical and interreligious dialogues and consultations.

KEY MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Participating in and—where appropriate—convening Church-sanctioned dialogues among the various ecumenical and interreligious faith communities
2. Coordinating and assisting with Catholic support structures for diocesan ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and cooperation
3. Providing ecumenical education and formation for dioceses and other entities
4. Participating in other consultations as requested by the USCCB and/or the Holy See
5. Reflecting on ecumenism within culturally diverse communities
   

KEY MISSION RELATIONSHIPS

1. With ecumenical and interreligious national juridical bodies within the United States
2. With related committees and offices of the USCCB, especially the Committees on Doctrine and Culturally Diverse Communities
3. With bishops and their diocesan ecumenical and interreligious offices
4. With the Holy See and other episcopal conferences

HELPFUL LINKS

1. Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
2. Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews
3. Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
4. Pontifical Council for Culture
   
5. Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers