35th General Chapter

Missionary Ecumenism, Dialogue and Conversion

by Harry Winter OMI

Submitted to chapter commissioner Dave Kalert OMI, May 25, 2010.

"Ecumenism is the twin of mission" (Cardinal Walter Kasper, explaining the importance of the 1910 Edinburgh, Scotland World Missionary Conference). As we approach the 50th anniversary in Oct. 2012 of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Oblates can celebrate our conversion to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. Fifty years ago, most Catholics expected Protestants and Eastern Orthodox to return to our faith, rather than be the recipient of our apologies. Other religions were regarded as completely in error. We underwent of a conversion of mind and heart which expressed itself succinctly in the 1972 Chapter's Missionary Outlook: Especially in areas where the great non-Christian religions are a living reality our evangelization should include a common search for Truth in dialogue. . . .We will habitually examine what other Christians are doing in our area before initiating new projects or programs; we will do everything with them which faith does not oblige us to do separately (#16, d-e). The longer paragraphs from which these excerpts are taken are a commentary on our current Constitutions and Rules which express our commitment to ecumenism and dialogue (6, 66a).

St. Eugene's Example

Our Founder was far ahead of his time regarding other Christians, and religions. When he visited the Irvingite Protestant Church in London in 1857, he watched Evening Prayer, and concluded that the devotion of these Protestants was something his canons in chapter could imitate (Leflon 4:289). When he visited Tunisia in 1842, he watched a mosque service, and hoped that Christians would imitate the silence, prostrations, beseeching invocations and profoundly religious services of Moslems (North African Journal).

A New Development

Evangelical Christianity and Roman Catholicism have unexpectedly converged since the emergence of the Charismatic Movement. Are we ready to work with these Christians so that our divisions do not harm the preaching of the Gospel, and that our limited resources are expanded? The latest documents of this convergence, the USA "Manhattan Declaration" of Nov. 20, 2009, and the British "Westminster Declaration" of April 4, 2010 are remarkable missionary and ecumenical achievements which should be prayed over by every Oblate. Each declaration has a website; the "Manhattan Declaration" features 14 languages.

Cardinal Francis George OMI was one of the Catholic co-authors of the original 1994 statement, "Evangelicals and Catholics Together for Mission." What he wrote then for American Oblates applies with even greater force for the "Manhattan Declaration," the 8th statement of this group:

Catholics can learn from Evangelicals a few lessons on how to put evangelization at the center of the Church's life. Catholic evangelization is different in some significant ways. The Christ we proclaim is a Eucharistic Christ; the methods we employ must respect the work of the Holy Spirit already present in the people we evangelize; the Gospel we implement changes society as well as individuals. But the fervor to introduce people to Christ, the joy in being with fellow believers, the sense of the immediacy of God's action in the world--these lessons we can learn again from Evangelicals. Oblates, above all, should be interested and eager. Be nice to Evangelicals and even Fundamentalists. Often to our surprise and theirs, we have more in common than we had once thought. (Cardinal George, "Mission-Unity", #30, Oct. 1994).

Proclamation and Dialogue

Proclamation is the shorthand for the teaching that Jesus Christ and His Church are necessary for the salvation of all on this planet. Dialogue is the shorthand for the teaching that we must work with other Christians, with members of other religions, and with all people of good will. Archbishop Marcello Zago OMI witnesses to us that we can and must live this tension of both Proclamation and Dialogue.

A Challenge

The recent May 10-11, 2010 celebration at our Obra, Poland Scholasticate of Fr. Matteo Ricci SJ's missionary accomplishments shows the steady growth and progress in living this tension. Ukranian Orthodox and Protestant Missions in China were both featured (Oblate Communications, May 17, 2010). I personally experienced the USA scene in addressing the six USA Oblate area meetings on Missionary Ecumenism in February and March, 2009, and hearing many Oblates tell of their joys and problems in working with other Christians, and other religions. But the problem is that almost all of this ministry remains at the local level, and is rarely shared or coordinated in the Oblate world. Look at our structures for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. We have invested talent and treasure well in this work. Where are the similar structures for Mission, Ecumenism and Dialogue:? Can our 2010 Chapter look seriously at this need?

Let us continue our conversion to Mission, Christian Unity and Dialogue by moving from the accomplishments of individual Oblates to establishing flexible structures at the provincial, regional and congregational level. May the Chapter celebrate what the Holy Spirit has already led us to achieve, and inspire each Oblate to search the signs of the times. Mary, Mother of Christians, guide us.