The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council.

Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement. He established a "Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity" on 5 June 1960 as one of the preparatory commissions for the Council, and appointed Augustin Cardinal Bea as its first President. The Secretariat invited other Churches and World Communions to send observers to the Council.

The Secretariat prepared and presented a numbner of documents on:

• ecumenism (Unitatis redintegratio)
• non-Christian religions (Nostra aetate)
• religious liberty (Dignitatis humanae)
• with the doctrinal commission, the dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum).

There are two sections dealing with the:

• The Eastern section - Orthodox Churches and ancient Oriental Churches and
• Western Churches and Ecclesial Communities and for the World Council of Churches.

Following the Council, Pope Paul VI confirmed the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity as a permanent dicastery of the Holy See.

Walter Cardinal Kasper is the current President.

In the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus (28 June 1988), Pope John Paul II changed the Secretariat into the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU).

Purpose

The Council

• the promotion in the Catholic Church of an authentic ecumenical spirit according to the conciliar decree Unitatis redintegratio
• to develop dialogue and collaboration with the other Churches and World Communions.

Since its creation, it has also established a cordial cooperation with the World Council of Churches (WCC). Twelve Catholic theologians have been members of the Faith and Order Commission.

Similarly, the PCPCU to names Catholic observers at various ecumenical gatherings and in its turn invites observers or "fraternal delegates" of other Churches or ecclesial Communities to major events of the Catholic Church.

At present, the PCPCU is engaged in an international theological dialogue with each of the following Churches and World Communions:

• The Eastern Orthodox Church
• The Coptic Orthodox Church
• The Malankara Orthodox Church
• The Anglican Communion
• The Lutheran World Federation
• The World Alliance of Reformed Churches
• The World Methodist Council
• The Baptist World Alliance
• The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Some Pentecostal groups.

The Council also seeks to promote meetings with Evangelicals.

Structure

Directed by a Cardinal President, assisted by a Secretary, a Joint Secretary and an Under-Secretary.

Relations with the Jews

The Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews is distinct from but closely linked with the PCPCU.

See also

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