"The Holy Spirit is at work today causing people everywhere to pray and work for Christian Unity - that unity so greatly desired by Christ. This Council urges all Catholics to co-operate fully with this grace and to devote themselves actively and intelligently to the work of ecumenism." — Unitatis Redintegratio - Vatican II

"Thus it is absolutely clear that ecumenism, the movement promoting Christian Unity, is not just some sort of apendix which is added to the Church's traditional activity. Rather, ecumenism is an organic part of her life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does; it must be like the fruit borne by a healthy and flourishing tree which grows to its full stature." — Ut Unum Sint - John Paul II

Ecumenism is the diocese expresses itself through the regular meetings and initiatives of the Bishop with other Church leaders, the "fraternal" gatherings attended by parish clergy, the activities of Churches Together groups, and the more formal "Local Ecumenical Partnerships" in which, for example, churches are shared by two or more denominations.

The movement encourages us all, individually and collectively, to practical co-operation, common witness, dialogue and prayer with our fellow Christians.

Diocesan Ecumenical Officer
Mr Michael Malone-Lee

Churches Together in Essex and East London
Rev Geoffrey Wright (Secretary)

The Church in addition to her work for Christian Unity is in dialogue with people of other faiths in order to build a harmonious society by promoting mutual respect, understanding and collaboration.

There are broadly speaking three kinds of dialogue, apart from the theological dialogue between acknowledged experts:

• the dialogue of life, based on the ordinary human experience of respect for people and friendship with them
• the dialogue of action, when people work together for justice and common ethnical and social objectives
• the dialogue of religious experience, where people of different religions who trust each other and are soundly grounded in their own faith share their respective spritual riches

Interfaith dialogue is not about compromising with one's own faith but rather about showing respect for the sincerity of the members of other faith communities and respecting religious differences.

Priest Chaplin
Rev George Cheeramkuzhy

Lay Members
Mr Patrick Hanley
Ms Celia Blackden
Mrs Christine Dangerfield