Preaching Together

The potential power, but also the limits, of an ecumenical proclamation of the Gospel and defense of Gospel values is likely to be a key topic during the meeting in October of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization. The ecumenical focus will be particularly sharp on Oct. 10, when Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Communion, will deliver a major address to synod members at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said such ecumenical invitations demonstrate the pope’s recognition that the “challenges facing religious belief itself and church life are common...and we need one another and can learn from one another.” He added that ecumenical and interreligious cooperation shows the world that “we are together in promoting the values of belief and the moral-ethical values that we stand by.”