Mandate of the Brisbane Roman Catholic

Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations

The Gospel Imperative Concerning Christian Unity

Jesus asked all Christians to be committed to Christian unity. He prayed for unity among Christians because he knew that if others saw Christians united among themselves then the whole world would believe that he had been sent by the Father.

I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their
words will believe in me. May they all be one.

Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world will believe it was you who sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one
as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so
completely one that the world will realise that it was you who
sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
John 17:20-23

For Catholics then, working for Christian unity is not a matter that they can choose not to be involved in.

The Teaching of the Second Vatican Council

Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio, 21 November 1964)

Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only. However, many Christian communions present themselves to the people as the true inheritors of Jesus Christ; all indeed profess to be the followers of the Lord but they differ in mind and go their different ways, as if Christ himself were divided. Certainly, such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalises the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature. (UR 1)

Concern for restoring unity pertains to the whole church, faithful and clergy alike. It extends to everyone, according to the potential of each, whether it be exercised in daily Christian living or in theological and historical studies. (UR 5)

The Decree on Ecumenism outlines Catholic principles of ecumenism and reminds us that under the influence of the Holy Spirit much is already being done to make Christian unity more visible.

The Second Vatican Council speaks of five ways of working towards Christian Unity. These are:

 Making every effort to eliminate words, judgements and actions which do not respond to the condition of separated brothers and sisters with truth and fairness and so make mutual relations between them more difficult;

 Through dialogue between competent experts from different Churches and communities explaining the teachings of each communion in greater depth and bringing out clearly its distinctive features. Through such dialogue, everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teachings and religious life of each communion.

 Co-operating more closely in whatever projects a Christian conscience demands for the common good;

 Coming together for common prayer, where this is permitted;

 Examining our own faithfulness to Christ’s will for the Church and, wherever necessary, undertaking the task of renewal and reform. (UR 4).

Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to non-Christian Religions

(Nostra Aetate, 28 October 1965)

The Church, therefore, urges her sons and daughters to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, also their social life and culture. (NA 2)

…Accordingly, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, colour, condition in life or religion. (NA 5)

Papal Encyclicals

Pope John Paul II: That They May All Be One (Ut Unum Sint, 25 May 1995)

The Catholic Church embraces with hope the commitment to ecumenism as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love. (Ut Unum Sint 8)

When I say for me, Bishop of Rome, the ecumenical task is one of the pastoral priorities of my Pontificate, I think of the grave obstacle which the lack of unity represents for the proclamation of the gospel. A Christian Community which believes in Christ and desires with gospel fervour the salvation of people can hardly be closed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who leads all Christians towards full and visible unity. (Ut Unum Sint 99)

MANDATE

The Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations has a mandate to assist and resource the Archbishop, the Auxiliary Bishops and other Clergy, and the people of the Archdiocese to ensure that ecumenism and inter-religious relations are organic elements of the life and mission of the Archdiocese pervading all that the Church is and does.

In order to carry out its mandate, the Commission:

  • Promotes relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian Churches.
  • Initiates opportunities for and co-operates with other Christian traditions in ecumenical prayer.
  • Promotes local conversations and dialogues between the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions.
  • Promotes joint witness to the Christian faith by co-operation with other churches in education and social issues.
  • Works with appropriate bodies to prepare guidelines and policies on issues within the Commission’s mandate.
  • Promotes educational programs to support the Catholic community in ecumenical understanding and projects particularly for parishes, schools, young adults and other diocesan bodies.
  • Co-ordinates and promotes ecumenical programs for use in various ecumenical groups.
  • Fosters knowledge and understanding of the unique bond between Jews and Christians, and organises conversations and activities with the Jewish community.
  • Takes initiatives with people from other religious traditions to promote mutual understanding, respect, enrichment and cooperation for the greater good of all.
  • Represents the Archdiocese when appropriate on ecumenical and inter-religious bodies.

BY-LAWS

1. DEFINITIONS

  • The Commission is the Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations, established by the Archbishop. Its role is described in the Mandate approved by the Archbishop.
  • A Sub-Committee is an on-going group set up for purposes like the following:

a) conversation with a particular faith tradition.

b) support for Inter-Church families.

c) the preparation of the Newsletter.

  • A Taskforce is established by a Sub-Committee or by the Commission to complete a specific task like the following:

a) the production of a resource or document.

b) the completion of a particular project.

Once that task has been completed the Taskforce will cease to exist.

  1. MEMBERSHIP
  • MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission shall consist of approximately fifteen persons appointed by the Archbishop. Official letters of appointment will be sent to these members by the Archbishop. One designated Commission member shall act as a Youth or Young Adults’ advocate on the Commission. One designated member of the Commission shall act as a liaison person with the Priests’ Council.

  • NEW APPOINTMENT

Vacancies on the Commission will be filled by people with suitable expertise and experience from as wide an area as possible in the Church. The Executive will forward recommendations to the Archbishop.

  • TERM OF APPOINTMENT

Members of the Commission will serve for a term of three years and be eligible for reappointment for a second term of three years. Retiring members will be eligible for reappointment after one year.

New members commence the first year of their first term as from the date of appointment and finish their term of office on 31 December of the third year of their appointment. Where a member resigns other than at the end of the term of appointment, a new member may be appointed.