Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

Our Latest News

Habemus Papam! On March 13, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church: Pope Francis. Read more about the new pope or read about ecumenical and interreligious responses to his election.

The U.S. Catholic bishops and their ecumenical representatives are busy this spring 2013.

-Ecumenists join the universal Church in her prayer of thanksgiving for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and prayer for the Church's newly elected pastor. Staff member Fr. Ron Roberson has written Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenism: A Retrospective as a reflection on the Pope Emeritus' commitment to Christian unity from day one of his papacy.

-With the Washington Theological Consortium and St. Paul's College, SEIA will co-sponsor a dinner, prayer service and speakers on March 19 for local ecumenists in Washington D.C. with the theme, "Emerging Trends in Ecumenism." See our Special Events page for more details.

-The Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue took place at the beginning of March in Nashville, TN. Look for a news release about it soon.

-Coming up! SEIA will take part in a landmark response from Christian leaders across the U.S. to the now-famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on its 50th anniversary. Download a flyer for the symposium on April 14-15, sponsored by Christian Churches Together in the USA.

Also see our most recent press releases:
Christian Leaders Urge Fundamental Immigration Reform
Catholic-Reformed Dialogue Begins To Explore Mission, Identity Of Church In Modern World

Who We Are

During Vatican II, His Holiness Pope Paul VI decreed that territorial commissions devoted to ecumenical and interreligious matters should be established. The pope's mandate is set forth in the Directory for the Application of the Decisions of the Second Ecumenical Council for the Vatican Concerning Ecumenical Matters. The work of this Secretariat stems from this mandate. For more details about the various functions of the Secretariat, visit Who We Are. If you are interested in a more detailed summary of the history of Catholic involvement in the ecumenical movement, visit our History page.

3 MINUTES VIDEO: Interview with Fr. John Crossin,
OSFS, executive director with the office of Ecumenical
and Interreligious Affairs

What We Do

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to promoting dialogue with Christians and non-Christians alike. The fostering of Christian unity and mission to grow in understanding and friendship with other churches and religious groups is at the heart of our Catholic identity. Many resources can be found on this page and others to learn more about Our Dialogue with Others.

The Catholic Church and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops mandate areas of responsibility and mission relationships for the Bishop's Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Read our Committee Mandate.

Stay Connected

Keep up with the Recent News of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Also, please enjoy Articles and Blog entries by our staff.

QUICK LINKS

• Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
• Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews
• Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
• Pontifical Council for Culture
• Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers

Contact Us

Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
3211 Fourth St. NE
Washington, D.C. 20027
(202) 541-3020