What are Ecumenical Relations?
Ecumenical relations, also known as ecumenism, are the effort to seek Christian unity by cultivating meaningful relationships and understanding by and between the many different Christian Churches and Christian Communities. The EIA office within the Archdiocese of Chicago seeks to facilitate programs that foster visible Christian unity, and learn how we can find a common mission to move forward together and benefit the communities we touch.
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs is actively involved in a number of efforts, which further address ecumenical relations.
Ecumenism Metro Chicago (EMC)
Founded to celebrate the beginning of the Third Millennium of Christianity in 2000, this board is comprised of 19 Christian Churches within the Metropolitan Chicago area. Each member church is represented by their judicatory leader or appointed representative.
In the Chicago area, EMC coordinates the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18 – 25) and the annual prayer service for Christian Unity, while serving as a forum for local Christian leaders to understand better the gifts that each church offers.
Illinois Conference of Churches (ICC)
A statewide ecumenical organization with 28 judicatory members, representing 14 denominations from the Protestant, Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions. One of ICC’s goals is to provide Illinois churches with an opportunity to reach common objectives as we bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.