Sixth phase of the International Catholic-Disciples of Christ dialogue completed

From 12–16 June 2026, the International Commission for Dialogue between the Disciples of Christ and the Catholic Church met in Rome to finalise the report of its sixth phase (2022–2026), entitled The Ministry of the Holy Spirit, inspired by 2 Thessalonians 3. The International Dialogue is jointly sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC). (Press release)

The goal of the dialogue, co-chaired by the Most Reverend David Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA, and the Revd Robert K. Welsh of Indiana, USA, is the achievement of full visible unity. During the sixth phase, the Commission explored a range of topics through biblical, historical, theological and liturgical papers, following a framework prepared by a steering committee and unanimously approved at its first meeting.

The report concludes with an invitation to remain open to the action of the Holy Spirit, to recognise the Spirit’s work in themselves and in one another, and to move forward together in a spirit of discernment.

The International Commission was established in 1977 and has published five reports to date.