Presentation of the book “A History of the Desire for Christian Unity"

On Thursday 31 March Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, took part in the presentation of the book “L’unità dei cristiani. Storia di un desiderio. XIX-XXI secolo” (2021) (A History of the Desire for Christian Unity. Ecumenism in the Churches (19th–21st Century) held at the Institute for Ecumenical Studies of the Angelicum.

The round table, which focused on the questions “What have we learned or have yet to learn from ecumenical history?” and “What is still lacking in ecumenism?”, also included presentations by Deacon Alessandra Trotta, Moderator of the Waldensian Table, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the Holy See.

Asking the question “Where do we find signs in the Catholic Church of the “prophetic margin” capable of enabling effective ecumenism?”, in his presentation Bishop Farrell called to mind the challenge of a new “hermeneutic of difference”, the hope engendered by the current synodal process, and the opportunity offered by the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

Introduced by Reverend Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, OP, Director of the Institute for Ecumenical Studies, and moderated by Brother Adalberto Mainardi, one of the book’s contributors, the presentation offered the opportunity for a debate on a critical appraisal of the work as well as a reflection on ecumenism, not only from the theological perspective but also as an essential part of history. The round table was concluded by Professor Alberto Melloni, Secretary of the John XXIII Foundation for Religious Studies and director of the publication.