Mission Statement
Grounded in our faith in Jesus Christ and in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism and Declaration on Non-Christian Religions, the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs works to foster Christian unity and to deepen our relationships with Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and followers of other religions through initiatives that resonate on a local and global scale. As integral to our Catholic identity, and as a path to evangelization most recently articulated in Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, we assist Cardinal Cupich in his ecumenical and interreligious ministry, seeking to nurture understanding and respect among all religious groups through dialogue, formation, prayer, and collaboration in civic affairs that promote the common good. We provide expert consultation and resources to support educational and pastoral activities for parishes, schools and other agencies within the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich is personally and professionally committed to dialogue and relationship building. The Cardinal holds two important positions for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, consultant for the Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and co-chair of the National Muslim-Catholic Dialogue.
Click here to read more about our staff’s contributions to ecumenical and interreligious affairs.
The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council. Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only. However, many Christian communions present themselves … as the true inheritors of Jesus Christ … Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature.
– Second Vatican Council, Unitatis Redintegratio, 1
The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in other religions and has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines, which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all people.
– Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate, 2