by Frank Flegel

The decree on ecumenism that came out of Vatican II was a “Magna Carta” for Catholics, said Monsignor John Radano, keynote speaker at Archdiocesan Ecumenism events. He spoke to the Archdiocesan priests, to the Western Diocesan Eparchial Coordinators of Ecumenism and at a Workshop held for Archdiocesan Ecumenical representatives last fall. Radano spent 24 years as a staff member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Vatican City. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.

Parishes and congregations are on the front lines of ecumenism and even small parishes can play an important part, said Rodano. “A kind word, or a gesture can have a profound impact.”

Friar Anthony Gonsalves OFM, of St. Michael’s Retreat House in Lumsden. joined Msgr. Radano at the Ecumenical workshop and spoke about what it means to be a Christian  minority in a Muslim nation.” To learn more about the plight of Christians as a minority watch the videos produced by the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Beirut on: archregina.sk.ca and click on Recent News, and “Help Iraqi Christians”.