oecumenism
Noun: 1. A movement promoting union between religions, especially between Christian churches: Oecumenism refers to the principle or aim of promoting unity and cooperation among the world's different religious groups, with a particular historical focus on fostering better understanding and organizational unity among the various branches of Christianity.
- General Statement:
- Christian Context:
- As a Goal:
- Ecumenism vs. Interfaith Dialogue: While often used interchangeably in broad contexts, in precise theological terms, "ecumenism" (the more common modern spelling) typically refers to cooperation and unity among different Christian denominations. Broader engagement with non-Christian religions is often specifically termed "interfaith dialogue." Oecumenism can be seen as a subset of this larger interfaith movement.
- Adjectival Form - Oecumenical: The related adjective "oecumenical" (or "ecumenical") is frequently used to describe events, councils, or efforts that involve multiple Christian churches or religions.
- Example: They attended an oecumenical prayer service.
- Ecumenism (n): This is the standard modern spelling of "oecumenism." The meaning is identical.
- Ecumenical (adj): Of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches; promoting Christian unity or, more broadly, worldwide religious unity.
- Interfaith (adj): Involving persons of different religious faiths.
- Ecumenist (n): A person who advocates or works for ecumenism.
- Ecumenical movement
- Interfaithism
- Religious unity movement
The term "oecumenism" originates from the Greek word oikoumenē, meaning "the inhabited world." Its primary and most specific application is within Christianity, concerning the movement to heal divisions between churches (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant). In a wider, more general sense, it can be applied to efforts promoting harmony among all world religions. The spelling "oecumenism" with an "o" is an older, chiefly British variant; "ecumenism" is now the universally prevalent spelling.
- a movement promoting union between religions (especially between Christian churches)