By The Rev. Conor M. Alexander, Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Southern Virginia
On June 30, the
Tidewater LARCUM chapter hosted Dr. Mitzi Budde, Professor and Head
Librarian at Virginia Theological Seminary and specialist in Ecumenism
and Reconciliation. Holy Apostles' Virginia Beach hosted the evening,
and held a program steeped in prayer, hymns, and Dr. Budde's reflections
on the current state of ecumenism in the larger Church.
Dr. Budde's presentation
focused on three major points: a theological rationale for ecumenism,
several hopeful signs for how the movement is continuing, and discussion
on two recent ecumenical agreements. Theologically speaking, our
baptism is initiation into Christ's body, the Church. This is not
limited to one denomination, but to all Christians everywhere. One
participant in the evening remarked that for him, ecumenical work is not
optional - to follow Christ is to seek Christian unity. Dr. Budde went
on to describe several ways in which this theology is working itself
out. One particular hopeful sign is the Global Freedom Network, an
ecumenical and interfaith organization designed to combat global slavery
and human trafficking, and has the support and backing of both Pope
Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby.
Two recent ecumenical
agreements that Dr. Budde described were Christian Witness in a
Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct put forth by The
World Council of Churches, Ponitifcal Council for Interreligious
Dialogue, and the World Evangelical Alliance, and The Church: Towards a
Common Vision again by The World Council of Churches. Both documents are
available on the internet.
