Basic Information on the Course PTC 404: Ecumenical Ministry

Pope Paul VI & Patriarch Athenagoras I

General Goals and Objectives:

The purpose of this general introductory course is to assist the students to understand ecumenism as a search for the restoration of full visible unity among all Christians and to familiarise the students with the history of divisions, the ecclesial communities today, principles of Catholic Ecumenism, the modern ecumenical movement, ongoing ecumenical dialogues, and spiritual ecumenism.

Course Syllabus

After looking at the Biblical and doctrinal foundations of Christian Unity, the course will study the principles of Catholic Ecumenism as established by the Second Vatican Council and elaborated in some of the post-Conciliar texts.

Then it will present a general overview of the divisions in the Church in their historical and theological aspects, highlighting some of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual Churches and ecclesial communities.

The course will then study the modern Ecumenical Movement, the formation of the World Council of Churches and the work of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The Progress in ecumenism will be evaluated, by considering the shared vision of the Church as Koinonia, the various ecumenical dialogues that are currently going on, the fruits of these dialogues until now, and the challenges in each of these on-going dialogues.

We shall also briefly look at the ecumenical landscape of Kenya and then study the Directory laying learning the basic principles for facing the pastoral challenges as ministers of the word and sacrament in the Church in Africa.

Specific Goals:

1.      To introduce the student to the ecumenical movement in the Church

2.      To equip the student with the basic knowledge of the principles of Catholic Ecumenism, the main Churches and ecclesial communities present and active in Africa and the rest of the world

3.      To give the student sufficient grounding on the ecumenical situation today so that he/she can confidently engage in, promote, and guide ecumenical ministry in the local Church and communities.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

After completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Have a passion for the unity of the Christian world while being committed to truth and genuine dialogue and an ecumenical sensitivity
2. Have a basic understanding of the Christian communities, what we still share together, the points of divergence.
3. Have basic skills for being a practical ecumenist!