Ecclesiological Convergences in Recent Multilateral Ecumenical Dialogue

Abstract

This article discusses the topic of the Church in the multilateral international theological dialogue conducted by the Faith and Order Commission (FOC) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which in 2013 published a “convergence statement” entitled “The Church. Towards a Common Vision” (TCTCV), which gave a fresh impetus to the ecclesiological debate that has been taking place in the ecumenical movement for many decades. The document demonstrates that despite continuing differences among “confessional” ecclesiologies, there exists a converging vision of the Church, its nature, mission, and unity among all Christian traditions. This paper is divided into two parts: the first part dedicated to the TCTCV statement and the second part dedicated to the process of its reception during the last decade. Part one includes an introduction to the long study process within the Faith and Order Commission that led to the production of TCTCV, explains its ecumenical significance, presents its structure and content, and outlines some of the themes that are central to its vision of the Church, such as communion (koinonia), sacramentality, and the missionary vocation. Part two presents different stages of the reception process of TCTCV in the churches and in the FOC and addresses some of the issues that were identified as vital for the future ecumenical dialogue on the Church such as the meaning of communion (koinonia), visible unity, mutual recognition, ministries, baptismal ecclesiology, legitimate diversity, and others. This paper expresses the hope for the continuation of dialogue on the basis of the results already achieved as a necessary way of strengthening ecclesial communion among the churches.