Ecumenical Theology

Module Description:

The module is an introduction to the field of ecumenical theology, its biblical sources, theological foundations and ecclesial practice. Students will become familiar with the critical points of inter-church dialogue, practical ecumenics (including field work) and the obstacles to ecumenical reconciliation within the historical ecumenical movement. Students will also become conversant with significant turning points, protagonists, and instruments in the formal ecumenical movement and with the critical, normative basis of contested models of unity and diversity (for example, organic unity; unity in conciliar fellowship, unity in reconciled diversity, Koinonia, or unity in differentiated consensus) . The work of the World Council of Churches will be considered and the impact of Vatican II on the consolidation of ecumenism within the Catholic tradition. Some recent bi-lateral agreements (Joint Declaration of the Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church) on Justification), and a multi-lateral agreement – Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry: The Lima Document, 1982 – and their continuing reception, will be analytic case studies. These studies will focus on contentious issues, points and processes of historical breakthrough, and outstanding obstacles. Students will also learn the importance of critical attention to the relationship between theology, Christology and ecclesiology and to ecumenical methodology and reception at regional and local level.

Indicative Bibliography:

Flannery, A. (ed.), Documents of Vatican II, especially, Lumen Gentium; Unitate Redintegratio (Dominican Publications, Dublin).
Galliardetz, R., Ecclesiology for a Global Church A People Called and Sent, (New York:Orbis, NY, 2008).
John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint: On Commitment to Ecumenism, (London: CTS, London, 2004).
Kasper, Cardinal W., Harvesting the Fruits: Basis Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue (London: Continuum, 2009).
Kinnamon, M. and Cope, B.E., The Ecumenical Movement: An Anthology of Key Texts and Voices, WCC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).
Meyer, H. and Vischer, L. (eds.), Growth in Agreement: Reports and Agreed Statements of Ecumenical Conversations on a World Level, Faith and Order Paper No. 108, (New York: Paulist Press, 1984).
Morris, J. and Sagovsky, N. (eds.), The Unity We have and the Unity We Seek: Ecumenical Prospects for the Third Millennium (London: T and T Clark, 2003).
Murray, P. (ed.), Receptive Ecumenism and the Call to Catholic Learning: Exploring a Way for Contemporary Ecumenism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).
Rush, W.G. and Gros, J. (eds.), Deepening Communion: International Ecumenical Documents with Roman Catholic Participation (United States Catholic Conference, Washington, DC, 1998).
Stanley, B., The World Missionary Conference, Edinburgh 1910 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009).

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Give a critical account of the historical origins and key turning points in the ecumenical movement.
• Analyse the ecumenical implications of core theological beliefs.
• Critically discuss the ecumenical significance of the four marks of the church (oneness, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity).
• Identify the key theses governing ecclesial approaches to formal ecumenical dialogues (referring to some noteworthy case studies);
• Distinguish and critically analyse different approaches to ecumenical ecclesiology, including, combative, comparative, cooperative and communio-oriented.

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload:

Continually assessed.