Grassroots Ecumenism of Friendship Keeps Orthodox-Catholic Hopes Alive

[rug]

Orientale Lumen Conferences Boost Participants’ Knowledge of Issues, Forge Ties

July 16, 2013
John Burger

“The light of the East has illumined the universal Church, from the moment when ‘a rising sun’ appeared above us: Jesus Christ, our Lord, whom all Christians invoke as the Redeemer of man and the hope of the world.”

Thus began Pope John Paul II’s 1995 apostolic letter Orientale Lumen (“Light of the East), which encourages Latin Catholics to better know the traditions of the Christian East.

Rather than collecting dust on a Vatican shelf, the letter has continued to inspire a Washington, D.C.-based grassroots ecumenical movement for almost two decades. Initially planned as a single meeting to discuss John Paul’s work, the Orientale Lumen Conference has become an annual gathering open to anyone. In some ways, it has kept the light of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue burning while official dialogues have hit roadblocks.

And for that it has received acclaim from leaders in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/2420/grassroots_ecumenism_of_friendship_keeps_orthodoxcatholic_hopes_alive.aspx#.UegE2PfD85s

http://olconference.com/OL_FutCon_OL_XVII.html

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html

[IrishAyes]

1. Gotta love it.