Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity

The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, previously named the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), is a dicastery within the Holy See whose origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962 to 1965.

Origins

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Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement. He established a Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity (SPCU)[1] on 5 June 1960 as one of the preparatory commissions for the council, and appointed Cardinal Augustin Bea as its first president. The secretariat invited other churches and world communions to send observers to the council.

The Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity prepared and presented a number of documents to the council:

Following the council, in 1966 Pope Paul VI confirmed the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity as a permanent dicastery of the Holy See.

In the apostolic constitution Pastor bonus (28 June 1988), Pope John Paul II renamed the secretariat the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The PCPCU has two sections dealing with:

  • The Eastern Churches - The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches as well as the Assyrian Church of the East;
  • The Western Churches and Ecclesial Communities and the World Council of Churches.

Purpose

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The dicastery has a twofold role:

  • The promotion within 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 WCC's Faith and Order Commission since 1968.

The PCPCU is responsible for naming 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:

Structure

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

Current leadership

  • President: Kurt Koch, 2010–
  • Secretary: Flavio Pace, 2024–
  • Under-Secretary: Andrea Palmieri

Presidents

Secretaries

The Bible

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The council is responsible for working with other churches on ecumenical translations of scripture, and promoted the establishment of the Catholic Biblical Federation.[citation needed]

Relations with the Jews

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The Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with the Jews is the responsibility of the PCPCU, while the Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with Muslims comes under the direction of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. This is because when the council was being created the Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with the Jews was consulted as to whether it wished to come under the Inter-Religious Dialogue Council, it declined and thus remains part of the Promoting Christian Unity Council.[citation needed]

Publications

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity (SPCU), accessed 19 April 2023
  2. ^ "The Holy See - The Roman Curia - Pontifical Councils - Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  3. ^ "Roman Catholic Church and International Lutheran Council to begin dialogue". Canadianlutheran.ca. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and the International Lutheran Council (ILC) to Hold Informal International Dialogue - International Lutheran Council". Ilc-online.org. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  5. ^ "A New (Confessional) Direction in Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue - Mathew Block". Firstthings.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. ^ "2024 02 27 New Secretary DPCU". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  7. ^ "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  8. ^ "Guidelines for Interconfessional Cooperation in Translating the Bible". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  9. ^ "Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  10. ^ "The Greek and Latin Traditions Regarding the Procession of the Holy Spirit". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  11. ^ "The Ecumenical Dimension in the Formation of those Engaged in Pastoral Work". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  12. ^ "The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  13. ^ "Ecumenism in a Time of Pandemic: From Crisis to Opportunity | A working paper". www.christianunity.va. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  14. ^ "Publication of the document "The Bishop of Rome"" (Press release). www.christianunity.va. 10 Jun 2024. Retrieved 15 Jun 2024.
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