Ecumenical relations in the 21st century

Abstract

Ecumenism is the fraternal search for overcoming the division among christians, through knowledge and recognition of their legitimacy. It is a search in dialogue for unity and integration among Christians, based on the Evangelic message. The present study was motivated by the resistance of followers of different ecclesiastic institutions, about ecumenism, what has been causing a terrible relationship among the believers of Christ. Those who really know the meaning of ecumenism have participated in the Ecumenical Moviment for centuries. However, the common comprehension regard ecumenism has show a non-veridical concept about its real meaning. The present study aimed to clearly conceptualize ecumenism based on the vision of some authoors and understand it as an instrument for Christian´s unity. It also reised information about what it is not ecumenism. The methodology used in the present study was the bibliographical research. It led us to deal with the advances and retreats on the Ecumenical Movement as well as the conclusion of the present study that there is a necessity of demystifying the wrong concept of ecumenism in different Christianities so that, once people start knowing the subject better, they will participante in it, certain that they will be uniting themselves with other Christians that search unity and peace in the Father´s words.