Welcome to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Website for Christian Unity
EVENTS IN PROGRAM
Conferences
WEEK OF PRAYER
for Christian Unity
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024
– Prayer Booklet, Poster and Prayer Card – in Italian language
will be available soon on our website
for ordering print copies and digital download.
Latest News
“Together | Gathering the People of God”
#Together2023The Centro Pro Unione is glad to participate to the event “Together 2023. Gathering of the people of God” with a Workshop titled: “History of a Future”.
For further information see
https://together2023.net/info-page/workshops
The event “Together 2023. Gathering of the People of God” – organized by the Taizé Community for the opening of the new phase of the Synod – will take place from September 29th to October 1st and is open to young people aged between 18 and 35.
For further information about the initiative and the full program see
https://together2023.net
In the afternoon of September 30th an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil will take place in Rome in the presence of Pope Francis and Representatives from various Christian traditions.
Flyer · Program Download
“Together 2023”
Summer Course students visit to Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity
On 6 July the participants of the Course 2023 visited the Dicastery for promoting Christian Unity, where Bishop Brian Farrell explained the work and goals of the Dicastery and engaged in a QandA session concerning the worldwide ecumenical movement.
The course offers a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them, and explores relations with other religious traditions.
Photo Credit · Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity
Summer Course classes began at the Centro Pro Unione
With our students, Summer School 2023 classes commenced at the Centro. The study program is focused on learning the Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective and is one of the Centro’s annual training activities.
The course is taught over three weeks which includes classroom lectures and on-site excursions through sities of the Christianity and historic religious traditions in Rome.
The course is co-sponsored by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (NY) and recognized by the Graduate Theological Foundation granting credits for the academic formation to qualified graduate students.
MAD for Ecumenism / Module 3 · Synodal Ecumenical Workshop
The Centro Pro Unione offered its contribution with the activation of a Synodal Ecumenical Workshop.
The participants – a group of Catholic faithful – reflected together about their issues of Christian identity in contemporary society.
A response to Pope Francis’ call for “all the baptized” to participate in the Synod: the CPU offered its contribution to the Synodal process with the activation of a Synodal Ecumenical Workshop.
The first fruit is a document drafted by an Ecumenical Network of leaders, theologians and pastors from different Christian denominations who have endorsed some theological and pastoral proposals to the Synod.
These Consultants –exercising a synodal method– reflected together on the pathways that can be activated to address the church’s issues and renew its evangelizing power, with a view to reconstructing the contemporary social and cultural fabric.
The document responds to the demands of a group of Catholic faithful, assembled by the CPU for this project. In this context the assembled group of faithful was questioned about their issues of Christian identity in contemporary society.
The documents are presented to the Synod’s Secretariat as the CPU’s contribution in an effort to design a synodal ecumene in which the discernment and experience of the various Christian churches converge.
The documents will be available on our website as the result of Module 3 of M.A.D. for Ecumenism – Mutual Accountability Desk.
Visit from the WCC Faith and Order New Appointed Director and Delegation
On May 9th, the CPU received with joy the visit of the new appointed Director of the Faith and Order Commission, Dr. Prof. Andrej Jeftić, accompanied by Dr. Prof. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order.
The visit – which followed that of the World Council of Churches Secretary General, Rev. Dr. Prof. Jerry Pillay on March 23rd – was the opportunity for a cordial and informal exchange on FO projects as well as on CPU activities related to the Library (Dr. Loredana Nepi) and theological-formational projects (Prof. Teresa Francesca Rossi) enriched by the presentation of the charism of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement by Rev. Prof. Timothy MacDonald, SA, Rector of St. Onofrio Church.
To the guests from Geneva, our gratitude for the friendly attestation of esteem towards the CPU ministry and for the enriching meeting.
Picture (Left to right)
Dr. Prof. Andrej Jeftić, Dr. Teresa Francesca Rossi, Rev. Prof. Timothy MacDonald, SA,
Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc and Dr. Loredana Nepi
#WCC #FaithandOrder #Ministry #CentroProUnione
Visit from the General Secretary of the WCC
On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the World Council of Churches’ General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay and Prof. Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order paid a visit to the Centro Pro Unione.
This was Dr. Pillay’s first visit to Rome after his installation as General Secretary and the Centro’s staff is honored that he would request to meet us and learn more of how the Centro could be engaged in some of the future projects being planned by the Faith and Order commission.
Dr. Pillay was very impressed by the important documentation housed in the Centro’s Library concerning the international and regional theological dialogues and the fact that materials are present in many languages. The delegation also expressed appreciation for the formation projects of the Centro Pro Unione (specifically Mutual Accountability Desk for Ecumenism and annual Summer Course) and for the attention paid to the heuristic aspect of these projects oriented towards a constant meta-reflection on the dynamics of reception and ecumenical formation that the Centro has always activated. The Director and staff were able to speak about the on-going programs of the Centro as well as to describe future programs in development.
Particular interest was shown in the proposed Nicaea 2025 project. Drs. Pillay and Mihoc assured the Centro staff that we would maintain important collaborative relations in the immediate future.
Picture (Left to right)
Fr. James Puglisi, sa, Dr. Jerry Pillay, Dr. Teresa Francesca Rossi,
Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc and Dr. Loredana Nepi
Spring 2023
In this Issue
- Letter from the Director — James F. Puglisi, SA
- Geoffrey Wainwright as Liturgist — Bryan D. Spinks
- Geoffrey Wainwright: A Theological Legacy in Ten Propositions — Richard Clutterbuck
- Geoffrey Wainwright: A Theological and Ecumenical Nexus – Personal Observations — William G. Rusch
- Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Bernhard A. Eckerstofer
- Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Gillian Kingston
- Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Donald J. Bolen
- Wisdom, Virtues, and Vices in the Book of Proverbs: Some Philosophical and Ethical Considerations — Jack Bemporad
- A Bibliography of Interchurch and Interconfessional Theological Dialogues — compiled by Loredana Nepi
- Formation Program – Summer School Rome 2023 · Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective
- The Editorial Catalog · Books and Course Volumes — A formative itinerary in Ecumenism and Christian Unity proposed by the Centro Pro Unione
- Support the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Ministries — A Benefactors Guide
- Sostieni i Ministeri dei Frati Francescani dell’Atonement — Una guida per i benefattori
- Digital Network · Centro’s channels on the Web
Latest Publications / M.A.D. for Ecumenism
Digital Edition · E-book
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 1
Itinerary of a Historical Exchange of Pulpit
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 2
“By baptism […] we walk in newness of life” (Rom 6: 4)
Watch and Listen / LECTURES
“The Heritage of Geoffrey Wainwright: Liturgist, Theologian, and Ecumenist”
Revd Prof Bryan D. SPINKS · Revd Dr Richard CLUTTERBUCK · Revd Prof William G. RUSCH ·
Revd Dr Bernhard A. ECKERSTORFER, osb · Ms. Gillian KINGSTON · Archbishop Donald J. BOLEN · Revd Matthew LAFERTY
Speakers / Panelists
“Wisdom, Virtues, and Vices in the Book of Proverbs: Some Philosophical and Ethical Considerations”
Rabbi Jack BEMPORAD
Director The Center for Interreligious Understanding
“On the Task of Theology – Theological Foundation of Interreligious Dialogue from a Jewish Perspective”
Prof. Menachem LORBERBAUM
Chair, Graduate School of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University
“To serve the present age…”
Gillian KINGSTON
Vice President of the World Methodist Council, former Lay Leader of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland
and member of the Methodist/Roman Catholic International Commission 1986-2006
“All Creatin Worships – Re-thinking Liturgy in a Time of Ecological Emergency” 🍃
Prof. Teresa BERGER
Professor of Catholic Theology at the Yale Divinity School, USA
Conferences / Symposium / Study Day
See also
Agenda / 2023—2021
Program of Events
- 17 May 2023
- The Decisive Significance of the Book of Amos for Understanding the Literary Prophets in the Hebrew Bible — Rabbi Jack BEMPORAD
- 19 January 2023
- On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity you are cordially invited to an afternoon of prayer and reflection | Conference: "Baptism · Ecclesiological Implications of the latest Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Commission" — Dirk G. LANGE | Followed by An Ecumenical Celebration of the Word animated by The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas community
- 15 December 2022
- The CENTRO PRO UNIONE invites you to the Twenty-fifth Annual Conference in Honor of the Servant of God Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White | Theme: (In Case You Missed It) The Ecumenical Winter is Over — Lecturer: Revd Dr Thomas F. BEST · Pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Director, Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (1984- 2017)
- 20 October 2022
- The Heritage of Geoffrey Wainwright: Liturgist, Theologian, and Ecumenist | Program: ❶ “Geoffrey Wainwright as Liturgist” by Revd Prof Bryan D. SPINKS | ❷ “A Constructive Conservatism: the Theological Legacy of Geoffrey Wainwright” by Revd Dr Richard CLUTTERBUCK | ❸ “Geoffrey Wainwright, a Theological and Ecumenical Nexus – Some Personal Observations” by Revd Prof William G. RUSCH | ❸ Panel – Personal reflections by Revd Dr Bernhard A. ECKERSTORFER, osb · Ms. Gillian KINGSTON · Archbishop Donald J. BOLEN (video presentation) | ❹ Closing remarks by Revd Matthew Laferty || Organized by The Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and the Centro Pro Unione
- 19 May 2022
- Wisdom, Virtues and Vices in the Book of Proverbs: Some Philosophical and Ethical Considerations — Rabbi Jack BEMPORAD
- 17 May 2022
- The book launch of "The Vatican and Permanent Neutrality" · Editors Marshall J. BREGER & Herbert R. REGINBOGIN
- 28 April 2022
- Newman, Wesley and the Logic of Unity: An Inductive Ecumenism — Prof. Daniel PRATT MORRIS-CHAPMAN
- 26 March 2022
- In dialogo con le Chiese pentecostali → Prospettiva ecumenica: “Il dialogo cattolico-pentecostale: note storiche e tematiche” — Prof.ssa Teresa Francesca Rossi
- 18 March 2022
- In dialogo con le Chiese pentecostali → Prospettiva teologica: “La proposta dei movimenti pentecostali: principi e questioni aperte” — Prof. Carmine Napolitano
- 17 March 2022
- STUDY DAY on Sorores in Spe “Sisters in Hope of the Resurrection” — A Fresh Response to the Condemnation of Anglican Orders (1896) || Moderators: Dr. Maryana Hnyp · Rev. Canon Dr. Jeremy Morris || Speakers: Rev. Dr. James Hawkey · Prof. Joris Geldhof · Prof. Thomas O’Loughlin · Fr. William Henn, ofm cap · Dr. Susan K. Wood, SCL · Rt. Rev. Bruce J. A. Myers, OGS · Dr. Tamara Grdzelidze · Rev. Dr. Erik Eckerdal · Rev. Canon Prof. Sarah Coakley, FBA · Rev. James F. Puglisi, sa
- 11 March 2022
- In dialogo con le Chiese pentecostali → Prospettiva storica: “Pentecostali, carismatici e neo-carismatici” — Prof.ssa Valentina Ciciliot
- 4 March 2022
- In dialogo con le Chiese pentecostali → Prospettiva sociologica: “La terza Chiesa nell’età dello Spirito. Ritorno a Jacob Taubes” — Prof. Enzo Pace
- 24 February 2022
- On the Task of Theology Theological Foundation of Interreligious Dialogue from a Jewish Perspective — Prof. Menachem LORBERBAUM
- 21 January 2022
- The Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and the Methodist Liaison Office Jerusalem invite you to the webinar “Voices from Bethlehem: Christian Unity in the Birthplace of Jesus” — Speakers: Daoud Nassar (Lutheran) | Zoughbi Zoughbi (Latin-rite Catholic) | Fr. Issa Michael Thaljieh (Greek Orthodox) | Dn. Ashot Ghazaryan (Armenian Apostolic) | Revd Angleena Keizer (Methodist) | Registration link will be published shortly
- 20 January 2022
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022 | “ To serve the present age... ” — Gillian KINGSTON / followed by An Ecumenical Celebration of the Word
- 9 December 2021
- All Creation Worships Re-thinking Liturgy in a Time of Ecological Emergency — Prof. Teresa Berger
- 6 December 2021
- Book presentation "NUOVO TESTAMENTO GRECO — ITALIANO" · a cura di Mario Cignoni, docente di Greco alla Facoltà valdese di teologia e Segretario generale della Società Biblica in Italia (SBI)
- 20 October 2021
- God’s Terrible Springtime? Ecumenical Purpose and Opportunity in Times of Upheaval — A colloquium with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and three distinguished guests on the underappreciated power of ecumenism today
- 14 October 2021
- Symposium on Synodality — Mgr Ian Ernest, Teresa Francesca Rossi, Dr. Hervé Legrand · op, Archimandrite Dr. Amphilochios Miltos, Prof. Dr. Myriam Wijlens, Right Reverend Christopher Hill, James F. Puglisi · sa
- 6 October 2021
- Ecumenical Seminar · “Re-thinking the Relationship between Primacy and Synodality” — Prof. William Henn, Prof. Dimitrios Keramidis, Prof. James Puglisi
E-book · Digital Edition
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 1
Itinerary of a Historical Exchange of Pulpit
Logbook M.A.D. for Ecumenism — Module 2
“By baptism […] we walk in newness of life” (Rom 6: 4)
Printed Edition
Conosciamo i Fratelli — Vol. XIV
Brand new edition from the series "Brief course of Ecumenism"
Purchase
Manual of Ecumenism
A new hands-on guide to Christian Unity
Purchase
Semi-Annual Bulletin
Latest Publication
Bulletin Archives
Published Bulletin Digital / Print (1969-2023)
Spring 2023 / N. 103
In this Issue
- Letter from the Director — James F. Puglisi, SA
- Geoffrey Wainwright as Liturgist — Bryan D. Spinks
- Geoffrey Wainwright: A Theological Legacy in Ten Propositions — Richard Clutterbuck
- Geoffrey Wainwright: A Theological and Ecumenical Nexus –
Personal Observations — William G. Rusch - Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Bernhard A. Eckerstofer
- Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Gillian Kingston
- Geoffrey Wainwright – Personal Recollections — Donald J. Bolen
- Wisdom, Virtues, and Vices in the Book of Proverbs:
Some Philosophical and Ethical Considerations — Jack Bemporad - A Bibliography of Interchurch and Interconfessional Theological Dialogues — compiled by Loredana Nepi
- Formation Program – Summer School Rome 2023 · Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective
- The Editorial Catalog · Books and Course Volumes — A formative itinerary in Ecumenism and Christian Unity proposed by the Centro Pro Unione
- Support the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Ministries — A Benefactors Guide
- Sostieni i Ministeri dei Frati Francescani dell’Atonement — Una guida per i benefattori
- Digital Network · Centro’s channels on the Web
Summer School / Rome
2023
Aims
This course is designed to introduce participants to the ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Catholic perspective.
It will offer a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them.
The program will explore relations with other religious traditions.
The course, which is in English, is for men and women who are in preparation for ministry or religious life, who are in the mission field, who are ecumenical officers or members of ecumenical commissions, or who are looking for a sabbatical experience led by qualified professors and ecumenists.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2023
Print material available
Prayer Guide,
Poster and Prayer Card
Material for the Week of Prayer 2023 — Daily Scripture-Prayer Guide, Poster and Prayer Card — is available now for download in digital format and ordering printed copy.
Download digital material
Subsides Paoline · Parish catechists / Jan 2023
from the section "Liturgical and pastoral subsides" edited by Sr. M. Rosaria Attanasio
Official Documents / Agreed statement
Denominations for confessional families churches and councils are searchable with associate and sorting capabilities of the available bilateral documents of dialogues
Documents FULL-TEXT
Latest Updates
Week of Prayer
List of celebrations in Rome
Celebrazioni a Roma · 18—25 Gennaio / Celebrations in Rome · 18—25 January
Links
🗓️ Jan 17 ― Ecumenical Vigil of Prayer
📎 bit.ly/Watch-WPCU2023-VP
🗓️ Jan 18 ― Vatican Radio podcast
📎 bit.ly/Listen-WPCU2023-RV
🗓️ Jan 19 ― Avvenire Newspaper interview
📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-AV
🗓️ Jan 19 ― Ecumenical Celebration of the Word
📎 bit.ly/Watch-WPCU2023-LC
🗓️ Jan 20 ― Bossey Ecumenical Institute Visit
📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-BI
🗓️ Jan 25 ― Celebration of Second Vespers
📎 bit.ly/Read-WPCU2023-VE
Week of Prayer
Vigil of Prayer for Christian Unity
Organized by · The Anglican Centre in Rome, Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and Centro Pro Unione
Praying for Unity
Ecumenical Celebration of the Word
Co-sponsored · The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas and Centro Pro Unione
Library spaces
Access our library reading rooms
The library of the Centro Pro Unione is open and our reading rooms are available.
Atonement Society Ministries
CharismOur ministry for Christian Unity
The Centro Pro Unione is born from the ecumenical charism of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, a branch of the Franciscan family founded by the Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White at the end of the XIX century.
Its principle mission is to provide a place for research, meetings and encounters, formation in theological, social and spiritual ecumenism as well as promoting a sensitivity to the ecumenical movement.
Learn more by visiting the websites
Opening 60th Anniversary — The Centro Pro Unione which hosted weekly meetings between Council Fathers, Observers and Ecumenical Guests during the Council joyfully remembers the Council’s anniversary
11 October 1962 – 2022 — Fr. James Puglisi, sa, retraces some phases of the ecumenical meetings held in the spaces that are now the headquarters of the Centro Pro Unione and the legacy to be valued of the Second Vatican Council in our days. #SecondVaticanCouncil #UtUnumSint
Conferences Webinar
Lectures on the theme
Program
- Welcome / Introduction
- Fr. James Puglisi, sa | Welcome message
- Prof. Teresa Francesca Rossi | Introduction
- Speakers
- H.E. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti
- Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
- Diac. Alessandra Trotta
- Moderatora della Tavola Valdese
- Prof. Don Luca Mazzinghi
- Presidente SBI – Pontificia Università Gregoriana
- Prof. Past. Eric Noffke
- Facoltà Valdese di Teologia
- Dr. Mario Cignoni
- Segr. gen. Società Biblica in Italia / Docente di Greco alla Facoltà Valdese di Teologia
- Fra. Giacomo Puglisi, sa | Farewell Greetings and Final Thanks